The Baloch nation has a historic and unique culture. The Baloch culture and traditions are remarkably different from other cultures of the world. Baloch culture has many unique traditions, such as famous embroidery, hospitality, brotherhood, and camaraderie, as well as Balochi Dochapi and Balochi rituals. Furthermore, Baloch culture is well-known around the world for its appealing and beloved traditions and rituals.
The Baloch students studying at the Lasbela University of Agriculture Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS) recently put on a dance performance in which Baloch males and females exhibited one of our historical traditions, Baloch Dochapi.
To be honest, their cultural performance was an accomplishment in itself; it also went viral on social media platforms, with many applauding their excellent performance. Second, as far as I am aware, it is the first Dochapi ever performed by males and females collaborating together that has been recorded and shared with the world to see. It was a much-needed and great step for promoting the Baloch culture.
However, many people, on the other hand, have condemned the Dochapi performance conducted on the university campus and called it to be something beyond the Baloch culture. Their criticism was directed at the performance of guys and girls combined. They have expressed guilt and anger for this cultural performance since guys and ladies were performing the dance together, which is something a section of society opposes. However, for me, it is not outside of our culture or it is anything against our beloved culture; rather, it is an integral part of our culture.
Baloch nation is a secular and free nation that has equal rights attributed to every Baloch. Unfortunately, Baloch Dochapi has not usually been done as a group of males and females, and that may be the reason why some ignorant narrow-minded people do not consider it a cultural performance. Furthermore, their nonsensical criticism eliminates the rightful position of Baloch women in the culture, even though Baloch women play a multitude of roles in the cultural context.
Allow me to pose some questions here. How can the world know and follow our culture if Baloch women are not allowed to demonstrate their cultural roles? Women are extremely powerful, and they are an essential part of any society in properly highlighting the culture and traditions. Every woman has the right to do whatever her cultural and human rights allow her. If the culture allows something for men, why it should deny the same thing to women? Is culture exclusive to men?
Most importantly, English culture, in a sense, has spread rapidly throughout the world today. Women, without a doubt, have played pivotal roles in the promotion of the culture. Today, English culture is practiced throughout the world, including Balochistan. In recent years, a large number of Baloch women have adopted English cultural attire and hairdos. Similarly, if we limit women to domestic chores, will anyone understand and adopt our culture?
Nevertheless, in the social circle, everything should be allowable if it follows the ethical boundaries, whether conducted by members of the opposite sex,. The recent Baloch Dochapi performance at the LUAWMS campus is a commendable step and should be applauded and not condemned.