Celebrating culture: Music, dance and day-long festivals on Balochi cultural day
Balochistan had one of the earliest human settlements in the world in Mehrgarh around 7,000-3,000 BC.
Folk artists and musicians from the restive Balochistan province enthralled visitors at the Balochi cultural day at Lok Virsa on Friday, said a press release.
Special arrangements to mark the occasion included Balochi song and dance performances, Balochi music, Balochi costumes show and traditional Balochi cuisine among others.
Artists and musicians who performed included folk singers Jangi Khan, Taj Buledi, Sameena Khawar, Do Chapli, Leva dancers, Taj Muhammad Tajal, Yamin Salai and others.
A large number of Balochis and residents from Rawalpindi and Islamabad attended the day-long activities.
Baloch culture is rich, varied and deep-rooted. Balochistan had one of the earliest human settlements in the world in Mehrgarh around 7,000-3,000 BC. The site, discovered by French archaeologists, is believed to be the earliest civilisation in the world, as it pre-dates the civilisations of Egypt and Mesopotamia.
The site was occupied from 7,000 BC to 2,000 BC and it is the earliest Neolithic site where archaeologists found evidence of domestication of animals and cereal cultivation – wheat and barely – and also craftsmanship, said the press release.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2012.