Lori people


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.

Origin

The Lori also called Sarmastani-Lori. The Sarmastani-Lori, who claim descent from Sarmast; their heroic ancestor. Most of the Lori in Balochistan claim descent from Sarmast. Lori 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 and the blacksmiths of the Baloch country. Each occupational group is distinguished by a special appellation, for example the carpenter is known as a dar trash LorI and the blacksmith is known as asinkar 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.
They speak the Beluchi language.
In the Kachhi region of Balochistan, the Lori live among both the Jamot and the Baloch and Brahui. Their 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.