Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Zikris in Balochistan, Pakistan have a very vague history. In Pakistan, the Zikris are said to be found in the barren fields of Balochistan, i.e. Makran. It is in Balochistan that Zikris have their sacred places of worship such as Kho-e-Murad. Zikris tend to believe that the holy-ness of these places bequeathes them spirituality, therefore, there are certain practices that they collectively do in those consecrated places. Hence, “land” holds a very significant notion for them, not only because of their holy places, but also because land is the only source of their earning. Zikris are either working on the lands (as landowners or agriculturists) or they are fishermen. But why are they regarded to be different from the Islamic traditionalism? Is it because of their distinctive values, or because of their distinctive ideology regarding land and nature? The purpose of this paper is to see the attachment of Zikri to land, and how this affection gives birth to various symbols that are regarded sacred for Zikris. For this purpose, the history of the Zikris is gauged, where special emphasis would be given to study the relationship of Zikris with land. Since mostly Zikris now live in the regions near Silk Road, this paper is also able to fathom the future of the Zikris. That is, it gauges how would their lands (after being branded with the name of Silk Road) bring changes to their manner of living and the manner of their beliefs?