Jhalawan Brahui in Pakistan

The Jhalawan Brahui have only been reported in Pakistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Brahui rose to power by overthrowing a dynasty of Hindu kings in the 1600s. Under Nasir Khan in the 1700s, the confederacy reached its peak. Today, the Brahui are made up of 29 tribes, one of which is the Jhalawan.

Brahui can be distinguished from their Pushtun and Baluchi neighbors by their Dravidian language, called Brahui. Linguists have not been able to discover the link between the Brahui and other speakers of Dravidian languages who live 1000 miles away in southern India. Their language, Brahui, has three main dialects. In today's world, they often borrow words from their more powerful neighbors, the Baloch and the Sindhis.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For years, most Jhalawan Brahui were nomadic shepherds who traveled between the highlands and the lowlands in search of proper temperatures, rainfall and pasture for their flocks. During the cold and icy winter months, the Brahui lived in the plains. They return to the hills only after the lambs are born in February or March.

The number of Jhalawan Brahui nomads has consistently declined over the past hundred years, and today there are many fully settled villages dependent on underground water irrigation to raise the numerous cash crops. There are a number of towns that serve as administrative and commercial centers, although relatively few Brahui live in town year round.

Jhalawan Brahui shepherds have organized themselves into groups of cooperating households known as khalks. Each khalk combines its herds into one flock under the care of a professional resident shepherd. The resident shepherd controls up to 500 sheep. This procedure benefits the Brahui economically because it allows the men and their adult sons to work on local village farms in exchange for wheat. Having one resident shepherd also enables the men to take their herds to market for sale and to exchange information with other Brahui about the locations of various camps and flocks.

Through the use of khalks, Jhalawan Brahui have become expert shepherds. They have learned the optimum number of sheep that can be grazed together. They also have discovered that sheep are not happy in very small groups, and that they spread and wander under such conditions. When the herds increase to more than 500 animals, leaders "multiply" the group, shifting the tents to form a new khalk.

Families arrange their marriages. Fathers prefer their sons to marry a cousin on the father's side, although, occasionally, families will consider the wishes of the couple. Men may take multiple wives, but the expenses incurred tend to limit this practice. Divorce is rare among the Jhalawan Brahui. The ideal family consists of married sons who live with their parents. After the father's death, brothers continue to live together with a united family estate under the leadership of the eldest son.

The tribe is the basic political unit of the Brahui. Tribes base their membership on patrilineal descent (common male ancestors) and political allegiance.

They celebrate cultural events and festivals with traditional music, dance, and storytelling, preserving their rich heritage. Despite modern influences, the Jhalawan Brahui people remain deeply connected to their ancestral ways of life.

They celebrate cultural events and festivals with traditional music, dance, and storytelling, preserving their rich heritage. Despite modern influences, the Jhalawan Brahui people remain deeply connected to their ancestral ways of life.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jhalawan Brahui people predominantly follow Sunni Islam, incorporating religious practices into their daily lives. They observe the five pillars of Islam, including daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and participation in communal prayers. Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are significant occasions, marked by communal celebrations and feasting.

In addition to their Islamic faith, they retain some traditional beliefs and practices, particularly those related to nature and ancestral spirits. These practices include rituals aimed at ensuring good fortune and protection, reflecting a blend of religious and cultural influences.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jhalawan Brahui people face several challenges due to their remote location and limited access to resources. Education remains a significant concern, with many children lacking access to quality schools and learning materials. Efforts to provide better educational facilities and opportunities for both boys and girls are crucial for their development.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Jhalawan Brahui people to have their educational and medical needs met.
Pray for their family leaders to have dreams of the risen Christ, leading them on the path to salvation and hope.
Pray for Jhalawan Brahui disciples who will make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahui Jhalawan in Pakistan.


References

AI source
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahui_people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhalawan
https://factsanddetails.com/south-asia/Pakistan/Ethnic_Groups_and_Minorities/entry-8088.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Brahui Jhalawan
People Name in Country Brahui Jhalawan
Natural Name Jhalawan Brahui
Pronunciation JAH-lah-wahn brah-WEE
Alternate Names ब्रहुई, झालवान
Population this Country 1,254,000
Population all Countries 1,254,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 25
People ID 20026
ROP3 Code 115775
ROP25 Code 301406
ROP25 Name Brahui
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Balochistan
979,000
Sindh
275,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
200
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Balochistan 979,000
  Sindh 275,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Brahui (870,000 speakers)
Language Code brh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Balochi, Eastern
107,000
Balochi, Southern
99,000
Sindhi
85,000
Urdu
26,000
Balochi, Western
13,000
Saraiki
9,100
Pashto, Central
8,000
Dhatki
300
Pashto, Northern
80
Primary Language Brahui (870,000 speakers)
Language Code brh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Balochi, Eastern 107,000
  Balochi, Southern 99,000
  Sindhi 85,000
  Urdu 26,000
  Balochi, Western 13,000
  Saraiki 9,100
  Pashto, Central 8,000
  Dhatki 300
  Pashto, Northern 80
People Groups Speaking Brahui
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Mostafa Meraji - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024