Experts explore Bugti’s folklore

Islamabad: Culture experts at the sixth session of ‘Lok Baithak’ highlighted rituals and traditions of Bugti tribe here at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Friday.

Exploring various aspects of Bugti’s folklore, they discussed the unique cultural heritage at Fortnightly Lok Baithak: Focusing Bugtis’ Folklore. Sabaz Ali Bugti, a Baloch folk singer, presented melodious Baloch folk tunes, while Liaquat Shahwani, an analyst from Balochistan, and guest speaker Sanaullah Bugti highlighted the traditions and rituals of Bugti tribe.

According to the organisers, the main purpose of the programme was to revive the traditional informal sittings of the traditional and rural communities. The ‘Lok Baithaks’ were multifaceted and used to serve the multiple purposes of associationalism, entertainment, social cohesion, knowledge sharing, the creation of disciplinarian and organizational spirit and above all hub of promotion of art and culture in the general communities.

The organisers said the Lok Baithak fortnightly series was open to the people of all age groups and multiple ethnicities in the style that they themselves are the speakers and listeners with the Lok Virsa as regulator and facilitator only. They said the participants were encouraged and allowed to bring their musical instruments and artefacts they specialise in.

The organisers said the participants were motivated to share the values, knowledge, wisdom, stories, songs, tales, fables, epics, jokes, traditional games, riddles and other stuff falling within the domain of folklore of their respective regions. Amateur singers and musicians among them sing and play music.