Lori (ethnic group)
Encyclopedia
The Lori are a nomadic community found in the Balochistan
region of Iran
and Pakistan
. They must not be confused with Lurs
, who are an entirely distinct people.
claim descent from Sarmast. While Zangishahi are said to have originated from India
, and accompanied the Gichki
Baloch
in their migration from India
. This community is found mainly in Panjgur
. They may be related to the neighbouring Dom
communities.
The Lori live among the Baloch, but are not considered such. They are one of the many gypsy like groups found in the Middle East
, and may be descended from groups who left India
in the distant past. They have no special language or dialect, and speak Balochi
.
Balochistan
Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...
region of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. They must not be confused with Lurs
Lurs
Lurs are an Iranic people living mainly in south-western Iran. Their population is estimated at above two million. They occupy Lorestan, Bakhtiari, and Kuh-Gilu-Boir Ahmed. "....
, who are an entirely distinct people.
Origin
The Lori may be divided into two groupings, the settled Lori and the nomads. Historically, the settled Lori have two sub-divisions, the Sarmas-Lori, who claim descent from Sarmast, and the Zabgisgahi. Most of the Lori in BalochistanBalochistan
Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...
claim descent from Sarmast. While Zangishahi are said to have originated from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, and accompanied the Gichki
Gichki
The Gichki [ is a Baloch tribe in Balochistan, Pakistan. There are different historical explanations of their origin. Some historians also say that they were native inhabitants of Gichk tehsil in Panjgur....
Baloch
Baloch people
The Baloch or Baluch are an ethnic group that belong to the larger Iranian peoples. Baluch people mainly inhabit the Balochistan region and Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southeast corner of the Iranian plateau in Western Asia....
in their migration from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. This community is found mainly in Panjgur
Panjgur
Panjgur is a small town in Panjgur District, Balochistan, Pakistan. It is located at 26°58'0N 64°5'60E-References:...
. They may be related to the neighbouring Dom
Dom
- People :* Dom people, an ethnic group in the Middle East* Doms, people of indigenous origin found in the Indian state of West Bengal* Domba or Dom, an ethnic group of India...
communities.
Present Circumstances
Traditionally, the Lori were the carpenters, blacksmiths and gold smiths of the Baloch country. A distinct group of Lori were musicians and entertainers. Each occupational group is distinguished by a special appellation, for example the carpenter is known as a dar trash Lori, the blacksmith is known as asinkar Lori, and a goldsmith is known as a zargar Lori. While those groups involved in entertainment are known as dohli, or drummers and are a strictly endogamous group. The dholi are also involved in jugglery, palmistry and fortune telling. Historically, they were also the sellers of donkeys, but this occupation has declined with the growth in modern transportation. Certain other duties were assigned to the Lori, such as preparing wedding feasts and playing musical instruments.The Lori live among the Baloch, but are not considered such. They are one of the many gypsy like groups found in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and may be descended from groups who left India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
in the distant past. They have no special language or dialect, and speak Balochi
Balochi language
Balochi is a Northwestern Iranian language. It is the principal language of the Baloch of Balochistan, Pakistan, eastern Iran and southern Afghanistan. It is also spoken as a second language by some Brahui. It is designated as one of nine official languages of Pakistan.-Vowels:The Balochi vowel...
.