Balochi Mayar and its kinds
Balochi Mayar and its kinds
Rahim Jan Phullain
Articles

Balochi literature is full of terminology and unalike words with their meanings. There is no denying the fact that Baloch people are an ancient nation and since then they have been following the same norms, values and culture. There are some terms or codes of honor for Baloch which are shortly described below.

Balochi literature is full of terminology and unalike words with their meanings. There is no denying the fact that Baloch people are an ancient nation and since then they have been following the same norms, values and culture. There are some terms or codes of honor for Baloch which are shortly described below.

Balochi Mayar: The most important part of the unwritten constitution of ancient Baloch society is known as the Balochi Mayar which guides the lifestyle of the Baloch people. In many ways “Mayar” of Baloch influences the life of individuals.

The word Mayar is also defined with some other similar words in Balochi language which are “Laj, Gairat, Izzat, and Nang” which may be interpreted as the Balochi codes of honor.

Similarly, there are some other terms which refer to Balochi Mayar. Some of them are as below:

Beer or Hon (Revenge): The fundamental principle of Baloch Mayar is revenge. A Balochi proverb throws high over the Baloch concept of revenge. “The Baloch revenge for blood remains as young for hundred years, as a deer of two years.” For taking the revenge even people are duty bound to wait for decades. Balach, who took the revenge of his brother Doda, waited for eighteen years.

Bahot ya Bahooti (Refuge or Refugee): The second great pillar of Balochi Mayar is called Bahot (refuge). Under this principle every Baloch has the obligation to fight to death for a person who has taken refuge regardless of his status as a friend or enemy or stranger. Even belonging of that person are saved through and through.

Mehmannawazi( Hospitality): The third pillar of Balochi Mayar is hospitality and protection to every guest. It is obligatory to provide hospitality and protect the guests taken into deep concerns.

Qoul (Promise): The Baloch code of honor expects the Baloch to be loyal to their words and promises. Whatever one says must fulfill it. It even happened to Shay Mureed where he lost his beloved Hani but proved to be the man of his words. Albeit, he got his beloved Hani after some years.

Shigan (Taunt): This is the final principle of Balochi Mayar and it aims to check those who violate the Balochi Mayar, for instance, if a person kills his guest or betrays his Bahot and never take his revenge. The Balochi poetry and folk stories are full of Shigan to provoke a coward or disheartened person to revenge.

By reading above mentioned points we come to know that how useful the Baloch national codes of honor are in Baloch history.

The writer is a student at DELTA in Turbat.