Pakistan 58,000 | Iran unknown | |
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 also living in Iran. The term "Lori" refers to trade designations not to an ethnicity.
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Origin
The Lori may be divided into two groupings, the settled Lori and the nomads. Historically, the settled Lori have two sub-divisions, the Sarmastani-Lori, who claim descent from Sarmast; their heroic ancestor (a blacksmith by profession) and the Zabgishahi. Most of the Lori in Balochistan 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. However, they are not Romanies/gypsies, but low-caste Beluchi.
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.
They speak the Beluchi language (as well as a jargon based on it, in Pakistan at any rate).
In the Kachhi region of Balochistan, the Lori live among both the Jamot and the Baloch and Brahui. There traditional occupation was that of blacksmithi with many of the women employed as midwives. Most Lori of Kacchi also speak Seraiki, in addition to Balochi.
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