Baloch Culture Day, observed annually on March 2nd, is a celebration of Baloch traditions, language, and identity that serves as a form of resistance against dominant narratives and historical and ongoing colonial subjugation. For the Baloch dress, music, and literature are a declaration of survival and a necessary part of liberation movement.
Colonial and post-colonial theorists like Frantz Fanon, Edward Said, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o argue that culture is a key battleground in the struggle against oppression. The colonial project not only conquers land but also reshapes minds, erasing native languages and distorting histories. Fanon explains how colonial powers dismantle indigenous cultures to weaken resistance, making cultural revival essential for liberation.
The history of Balochistan is characterized by resistance against British imperialism and state suppression in the post-colonial era. The forced annexation of Kalat in 1948 and subsequent armed movements reflect this struggle for self-determination. Despite the passage of time, cultural expression through poetry, music, and historical narratives has maintained its status as a potent and enduring form of resistance.
Edward Said in “Culture and Imperialism” highlights how the colonizer controls resources and dictates whose culture is considered valuable. In the Baloch context, state policies and mainstream media frequently marginalize Baloch history and language, perpetuating a narrative that disregards Baloch agency. The systematic underrepresentation of Baloch literature, neglect of Balochi language in education, and suppression of indigenous knowledge systems exemplify colonial hangovers.
Furthermore, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o emphasizes language as a tool of domination and resistance. Baloch writers and poets preserve and promote Balochi and Brahui languages as acts of defiance against identity erasure. Contemporary Baloch poets, historians, and musicians challenge dominant narratives through storytelling.
Baloch Culture Day is a counter narrative that asserts a people’s right to remember, reclaim, and redefine their identity. Traditional attire, music, and poetry resist cultural assimilation.
In an era of globalization, Baloch youth reclaim their narratives on social media. Baloch Culture Day reminds us that culture is about history, memory, and resistance, aligning with post-colonial struggles worldwide. As Fanon warned, each generation must discover its mission and fulfill it. The Baloch people fulfill their mission of resistance through cultural expression.
