PARH’NA: UNVEILING THE MATRIMONIAL TRADITIONS - AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLORATION OF SERAIKI SPEAKING BALOCH TRIBAL MARRIAGE CUSTOMS IN SOUTH PUNJAB

Abstract

This ethnographic study explores the matrimonial customs of the Seraiki-speaking Baloch community residing on the western outskirts of Rahim Yar Khan in South Punjab, Pakistan. Through immersive fieldwork and in-depth interviews, the research documents traditional wedding rituals, their symbolic meanings, and the socio-cultural values they embody. Set against the backdrop of South Punjab’s ethnic diversity, historical shifts, and ecological constraints, the study examines how marriage functions as a site of identity formation, gender negotiation, and cultural preservation within this community. By tracing the historical evolution of marriage studies and situating the findings within broader anthropological and feminist frameworks, the research offers a nuanced understanding of how these customs adapt to contemporary influences while retaining their indigenous essence. The study serves as both a scholarly contribution and a cultural archive for a region often overlooked in academic discourse.