Chah Bahar - Society and Culture

Society and Culture

Society and culture in Chabahar gained its characteristics from the classified tribal community of the Makran region. In this classification, Chabahar society is divided into superior and inferior tribes. Social structure is hierarchical; at the top of the pyramid are Hakomes or superior tribes, independent influential tribes are in the middle, and other inferior weak tribes are at the bottom of the pyramid. Hakomes are Khans or Sardars, which in Chabahar refers to Sardarzahi and Boledehi tribes. Hoot and Mir (jadgals) are examples of independent, influential tribes which are at the next higher level in the hierarchy. There are many tribes in the upper and lower middle level, but at the bottom are former slaves from eastern Africa that have been brought by colonialists and Arab traders, especially Omanis, to the Makran Coastal area. These tribes are known as Darzada, Nokar, Sheedi and Gholams.

Development of education and economic growth in the past two decades are gradually eliminating social gaps between different tribes, but certain gaps do remain; it is obvious in relationships among people, especially in marriages that are restricted within tribes and classes. Urbanization and growing immigration have encouraged cross-ethnic marriages between Baluchis and Persians; this trend shows that Chabahar is in transition from a traditionalist society to a modern city.

The dominant culture in Chabahar is similar to other parts of Makran and very close to Pakistan's south Baluchistan; clothes, music and cultural norms are the same as in other parts of Makran. Women often wear precious hand-woven needlework clothes known as Pashk with an embroidered chromatic and fine scarf named Sarig; Indian and Arabic ornaments and jewelry are popular. Men wear loose, long, white clothes with a turban or hat on the head, similar to South Asian Muslims (Indians and Pakistanis). Baluchi music has centuries-old roots and is the most listened-to genre of music in Chabahar. Although Chabahar is not a music-producing center, music products are imported from Pakistan. It is usual for Chabahari people to invite Pakistani Baluchistan's singers to perform at their celebrations, especially at wedding ceremonies. Mulla Kamal Khan was a prominent singer who lived in Chabahar and died in 2010. Ghulam Rasool Dinar Zai, a once-famous but now marginalized Baluch musician and singer, also lives in Chabahar. After Baluchi music, Indian film music is the next most popular form of music among the current generation; banned Persian music is third in popularity.

Cultural norms are very affected by tribal and religious structure of the society. Relationships between men and women before marriage are limited and forms according to Islamic norms. Dance for high profile tribes for both men and women is a kind of stain. Clan chieftains have the last say even in voting and elections. Obligatory tribal marriages, polygamy, tribal vengeance and chastity murder are common. Growing education is weakening old cultural norms in such a way that the newer generation no longer accept them and it seems Chabahar will be dramatically changed in coming years.