Colloquial maxims and gender ideology in Lashari Baloch community: An Anthropological insight

Abstract

The article is a product of an endeavor to probe the functionality of Baloch maxims in construction of femininity and masculinity where the later serves as the powerful contextual referent which constructs, shares, and perpetuate the meaning of femininity within the Saraiki speaking Baloch community. The social demonstration of both the gender ideologies: femininity and masculinity, have been discussed here. However, the main focus of the research is on feminine identity or womanhood in the semi-tribal setup neighboring Sulaiman Ranges. By interpreting and understanding the meanings of maxims that are reffered to, on certain occasions, we have analyzed and have tried to bring forth what femininity actually means in Baloch community. The theoretical approach of hermeneutics is used here to understand the underlying meanigns of the proverbs that actually plays a vital role in constructing and representing gender identities in the community. The linguistic demonstrations have been shown by the researchers to put forth the feminine identity construction and understanding within the context of Baloch culture.