Balti (people)
Baltis of Khaplu
|
|
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 28% of Gilgit-Baltisan (247,520) (1998) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|
Gilgit–Baltistan (Pakistan) Ladakh (India) |
|
| Languages | |
| Balti | |
| Religion | |
| Shia Islam majority, minorities of Sufia Nurbakhshia, Sunni Islam, Tibetan Buddhism and Bon. | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Burig, Ladakhis, Tibetans, Dards |
The Balti are an ethnic group of Tibetan descent with Dardic admixture who live in the Gilgit–Baltistan region of Pakistan and the Kargil region of India. Smaller populations are found in the Leh region; others are scattered in Pakistan's major urban centres of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
The Balti language belongs to the Tibetic language family. Read (1934) considers it a dialect of Ladakhi, while Tournadre (2005) considers it a sister language of Ladakhi.
The Baltis historically practiced Bön and Tibetan Buddhism. Islam arrived in Baltistan via Sufi missionaries such as Ameer Kabeer Syed Ali Hamadani in the 15th century, and soon became dominant. The Baltis still retain many traits of pre-Islamic Bön and Lamaist rituals, making them unique in Pakistan. The swastika (Yung drung) sign is considered auspicious and is carved on wooden planks that can be seen in historical mosques and Khanqahs. Showing respect to Lha and Lhu (Bön gods) is customary during many village rituals.
Baltis regard congregation in the mosques and Khanqahs as an important religious ritual. The Khanqahs are training schools which were introduced by early saints who arrived in the region. The students gain spiritual purity (tazkiah) through these trainings (meditations and contemplations) under well-practiced spiritual guides, who have already attained certain degree of spirituality.
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Wikipedia