The Baloch or Baluch (Balochi: بلوچ) are an Iranic ethnic group who are native to the Balochistan region in the Iranian plateau in Southwest Asia. The Baloch people mainly speak Balochi language which itself is a branch of the Iranian languages, and more specifically of the Northwestern Iranian languages. The Baloch-speaking population worldwide is estimated to be in the range of 10 to 15 million. They make up 2% of Irans population (1.5 million), there are many Baloch living in other parts of the world, with the bulk living in the GCC countries of the Persian Gulf. However, the exact number of Baloch and those who are or claim to be of Baloch ancestry is difficult to determine. Baloch groups in Punjab speak the Seraiki language.[citation needed] The Brahui, having lived in proximity to the Baloch, have absorbed substantial linguistic and genetic admixture from the Baloch and in many cases are indistinguishable. Despite very few cultural differences from the Baloch, the Brahui are still regarded as a separate group on account of language difference. About 60% percent of the Baloch live in East Balochistan, a western province of Pakistan.[10] Around 25% percent inhabit the eastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 35 to 40% Pakistani Sindhis claim Baloch ancestry[citation needed] and are settled in Sindh and also a significant number of Baloch people in South Punjab of Pakistan. Many of the rest live in Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, India, United Arab Emirates and in some parts of Africa, namely Kenya, and Tanzania (Tabora has a large community). Small communities of Baluch people also live in Europe particularly Sweden, Norway, Denmark, England and in Perth, Australia, where they arrived in the 19th century.[citation needed]
Posted on: Sun, 03 Nov 2013 06:30:29 +0000
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