Current Event Article - Essay Example

Cultural anthropology The Baluchis Baluchis are the ancient genuine Iranians. They moved to the region in the 12century and that territory became to be known as “Baluchistan.” Some people say that the name Baluchi means “nomad” while others say that it means “the cock’s crest.” Baluchi language is spoken in several countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, the Persian Gulf Arab-states and East Africa. It has two main dialects that include the eastern and western. The western Baluchi is the most common as it is mostly used to write Baluchi literature.

The Baluchis have preserved their mode of dressing with only slight and few modifications. The Baluchis continue to observe their indigenous and local traditions that were observed. The traditions of the Baluchis to some extend control some social behavior (Ferraro, Gary, 2009). Culture as holistic system is evident from the article of the Baluchis. Culture is a system of interconnected parts. Anthropological approach, involves biological and social culture aspects of humanity (Barrett, 2004).

This is the people’s genetic bequest as well as what they acquire from the environment after birth. A custom that the Baluchi refer to as Beggari is a social culture aspect is practiced. This is when a youth reaches the age of marriage but unfortunately he can’t meet the marriage expenses due to a tough economic condition that he might be facing. Such a condition allows the youth to go to his relatives and friends to discuss about the marriage decision, he therefore asks for their “Beggari,” which means, their contribution.

This tradition is so much respected by the Baluchi community that even the poorest member cannot refuse to contribute to such an offer (Pirmohamad 2014).Another aspect of anthropology that makes it holistic is the fact that it studies all varieties of people wherever they may be found. As it is depicted from the article is the diversification of Baluchi language (Ferraro, Gary, 2009). The language is spoken in various countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan India, the Persian, gulf Arab-States, Turkmenistan and East Africa.

It is classified as a member of the Iranian group of the Indo-European language family which includes Kurdish, Persian, Pashto, Dari, Tajik, and Ossetia. This can evidently show that the Baluchi language is integrated in various countries. It has also two main dialects: Eastern and Western, the western dialect comprises of Rakhshani in the north and Makrani in the south. It is interesting to note that areas where the eastern dialect is spoken that include some parts of Pakistani Baluchistan, Punjab and Sindh are less developed.

This can be attributed to the low levels of education leading to less Baluchi literature written in this dialect (Pirmohamad, 2014).The Baluchi have incorporated some very important feats and ceremonies in their culture. One of such is Mangir, this is the marriage ceremony it involves all the stage that start from the time of engagement to the wedding ceremony. Other cultures all over the world practice and observe the stages before marriage. This can be viewed as holism of cultural anthropology (Satish, K., 2005).The wedding ceremony of the Baluchis involves public participation just like other communities all over the world but with minimal differences.

The main difference is the Mangir wedding ceremony. It can be said that the ceremony is a custom that the Baluchi tribe integrated from other customs. Mangir is the ceremony for the simultaneous mass marriages of several couples. The reason for this practice can be attributed to the Baluchi’s considering economic situation (Pirmohamad, 2014). References Barrett, Richard. (2004). Culture and Conduct: An Excursion in Anthropology, 2d ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.Berreman, Gerald D. (1968). “Ethnography: Method and Product.

” IN: Introduction to Cultural Anthropology. James A. Clifton (ed.) Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Pp. 336‑373.Ferraro, Gary, ed.(2009). Classic Readings in Cultural Anthropology, 2d ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.Ferraro, G., & Andreatta, S., (2012), Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective, 9th Edition. Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.Peacock, James L.(2002). The Anthropological Lens: Harsh Light, Soft Focus, 2d ed. New York: Cambridge University Press.Satish, K., & John, V.W., eds. (2005), Applied Anthropology: Domains of Application.

New York: Praeger.Strang, Veronica. (2009), What Anthropologists Do.? Oxford, England: Berg.Welsch, Robert L., and Kirk M. E., eds. (2005), TakingSides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Cultural Anthropology, 2d ed. Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Dushkin.Pirmohamad M. Z., (2014). A Cultural Anthropology of Baluchis. Current article: Retrieved 25th, March 2014, from http://www.iranchamber.com/people/articles/cultural_anthropology_of_baluchis.php