Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 35

Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

ICONIC REPRESENTATION OF BALOCH CULTURE: A SEMIOTIC

ANALYSIS

Muhammad Hussain*
Muhammad Amjad**
Kalsoom Bugti***

Abstract

The present paper analyzes cultural attires and appearances of Marri and Bugti tribes
in Balochistan to find out latent meanings attached to these artifacts. In doing so, the
study uses Peirce’s framework of semiotics- an iconic perspective. The analysis has
been carried out with the help of close reading (Semiotic perspective) of the cultural
images and appearances. The results reveal underlying multi-meanings attached to
these images and appearances. The findings reflect the richness and diversity of Marri
and Bugti cultures and the invisible representational meanings of these objects. This
research endeavor may be helpful to promote pluralism, harmony and enhance
intercultural awareness necessary for understanding cultural diversities within and
across societies. More so, future researchers can explore cultural objects and
appearances of Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtuns, Urdu speaking, and Saraiki people by
applying various frameworks of semiotics.

Keywords: Semiotics-iconic, culture, appearances, attires, Baloch (Marri & Bugti)

Introduction

The present paper attempts to analyze cultural appearances and attires of Marri and
Bugti people who live in district Kohlu, Kahaan, Dera Bugti.Sibi, Harnai, Quetta,
Turbat, Khuzdar and Lasbela (Hub) located in Balochistan, Pakistan. The paper focuses
on latent meanings attached to the cultural attires and appearances of these communities,
thus Semiotics is the lens that deals with how languages, images and objects carry
meanings. In the post-modernism era, the focus is on marginalized and indigenous
languages, cultures and people; hence the present study focuses on indigenous cultures
i.e. Marri and Bugti as social scientists play a constructive role for harmonizing societies
through interaction in terms of research work. As a result of research works, the studies
regarding cultural awareness may promote social harmony within or across societies.

Culture, the collective programming of the mind, distinguishes the members of one
group from others1. Along the same line, a culture has been termed as a shared system,

This work is Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 4.0 International License

*
Muhammad Hussain, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of English, International Islamic University Islamabad,
Pakistan
**
Muhammad Amjad, Ph.D. Scholar, Department of English, International Islamic University Islamabad,
Pakistan
***
Kalsoom Bugti, MS student, Department of English, Sardar Bahadur Khan Women's University Quetta
36 Iconic Representation of Baloch
Culture: A Semiotic Analysis

which conveys meanings. It dictates what we pay attention to, how we act, and what we
value2. In the same vein, culture has been conceptualized through taxonomies as bi-polar
dimensions i.e. a) collectivism vs. individualism, and b) universalism vs. particularism3.

Additionally, characteristics which are common to a particular group of people indicate

shared values of a culture. These characteristics are learned, not given by nature 4. Four
primary dimensions have been introduced such as a) patterns of thought; b) patterns of
behavior; c) patterns of artifacts, and d) imprints in nature. Furthermore, Culture is
usually compared to an ice berg which has visible and invisible parts: above the surface
and below the surface5. The part which is above the surface is visible and it consists of
language, food, greeting, and dress; however, the biggest part of the culture which is
hidden below the surface: the invisible rules, meanings and values that define each
culture. The image of a cultural iceberg:

Figure 1: The Cultural Iceberg takenfromhttps://www.google.com.pk/ image+of+an+ice+berg (accessedon

January 25, 2018)

Awareness of cultural diversities may reduce ethnic conflicts between communities and
may increase harmony in society. Cultural awareness provides an understanding of the
different cultural rules and behaviors that exist, how we react to these differences and
how to avoid misunderstandings to improve intercultural awareness and communication.
Moreover, Culture has been defined as a complex phenomenon. It includes knowledge,

1
. Hofstede, Geert, Culture’s Consequences: International Differences in Work-Related Values, (Beverly Hills:
Sage, 1980).
2
. Trompenaars, Fons, and Charles Hampden-Turner.Riding the Waves of Culture: Understanding Diversity in
Global Business. (Nicholas Brealey Publishing, 2011).
3
. Hofstede, Geert, 1980 & Trompenaars, Fons, 2012.
4
. Allwood, Jens, Intercultural Communication, (Anthropological Linguistics, 1985), 12, 1-25.
5
. Katan, David, Translating Cultures: An Introduction for Translators, Interpreters and Mediators, 2nd Ed.,
(Manchester: St. Jerome, 2004).
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 37
Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

belief, art, morals, law, custom, and all other capabilities and habits acquired by a
person as a member of a society6.

On the other hand, Arnold in “Culture and Anarchy” defines culture spiritually. He
defines culture as “culture consists of two components: One is lamp and the other is
sweetness. Light means enlightened mind and sweetness means your decency of
conduct: how do you treat others”7. On the other hand, as the world is progressing fast
and so are the technology and science, thus it has become essential and possible in this
era of globalization to be aware about diverse societies and their cultural values and
attitudes in order to avoid any misunderstanding towards other cultures. It may further
improve intercultural awareness and communication. Along these lines, it is of
incredible significance to figure out how to impart successfully and get significant
information of distinctive societies and cultures. Research articles are platforms which
join world economy, science, innovation, culture and society from diverse regions. They
indicate new originations and strategies, as well as reflect components of different
cultural societies.

Literary theory offers various lenses through which text, signs, cultural attires and
various genre of literature can be interpreted in different dimensions. Semiotics is the
lens through which one can reveal the hidden meanings which are below the surface of
cultural attires and appearances of individuals, since semiotics deals with how
languages, images and objects carry meanings. Additionally, it is the study of signs and
a sign is a kind of symbol which can be seen in everything. One can find them around
human beings, positioned everywhere i.e. in words; in human gestures; in national flags,
in cultural attires and appearances; in traffic ways; hence, in every object which can be
called as signs.

According to semiotic perspective, one can only know about reality and culture by
means of the sign which is called the process of the signification. Furthermore,
semiotics is a framework through which, signs are interpreted because of its method and
role8. Emberto argues that semiotics is concerned with signs and a sign is everything
which is a substitution for something else. It is not essential that the something else
should exist at the moment in which a sign stand in for it9. One of the twentieth-century
influential founders of the semiotic approach Ferdinand de Saussure who is known as
father of modern linguistics begins with his theory of sign in which he argues that
language is a system of sign which can be used to express ideas and meanings. Saussure
classifies linguistic signs into two components: the signifier (the sound, image, or word)
and the signified which is the concept the signifier represents, or the meaning 10.

7. Tylor, Burnett Edward, Primitive culture: Researches into the Development of Mythology, Philosophy
,(USA: The University of Michigan, 1871), 1.
7
. Arnold, Mathew, Culture and Anarchy, (J. D. Wilson, ed. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1869),
17.
8
. Sobur, Alex. Analisisteks Media: Suatu Pengantar Untuk Analisis Wacana, Analisis Semiotik
Dan Analisis Framing. ISBN: 9796921421, 9789796921423 (Bandung, Indonesia: Remaja
Rosdakarya, 2001).
9
. Emberto, Eco, A Theory of Semiotics, (Bloomington: Indian University Press, 1979).
10
. Saussurede Ferdinand, Course in General Linguistics, (New York: Mcgraww-Hill Paperbacck, 1972).
38 Iconic Representation of Baloch
Culture: A Semiotic Analysis

Figure 2: Saussure’s dyadic model; taken from http://visualmemory.co.uk/daniel/Documents/S4B/ (accessed

on February 6, 2018).

Though, the relation between signifiers and signified has been termed as arbitrary and
conventional; however, it is not the case with images because the problem of meaning
arises from the arbitrary and conventional nature of signs 11. The arbitrariness is true in
most written and spoken languages; however, it is clear that visual signs or images are
not arbitrary in terms of meanings. Since, Saussure was formulating his model of the
sign, the American Pragmatic philosopher, logicians as well as one of the founders of
Semiotic approach Charles Sanders Pierce defines sign as something which stands to
somebody for something for some respect. He designs a triangle-meaning model in
order to understand sign. It consists of sign, object, and interpretant 12.
Here is the pierce’ model of sign:

Figure 3: Peirce dyadic model; taken fromhttps://www.google.com.pk/+model+of+sign+image

(accessedonFebruary 9, 2018).

As, it can be seen in the above diagram in which ‘Representamen’ is the form which the
sign takes and which is not necessarily material,(2) The ‘Interpretant’ is not an
interpreter but the sense made of the sign, (3) An ‘object’ to which the sign refers.
According to Peirce’s perspective, a sign is a concrete thing that is visible and it
represents another thing beyond it. Similarly, the present study finds out the meanings
which are below the surface and they are invisible; however, only the cultural images
and appearances are visible. Peirce categorized the patterns of meaning in signs as
iconic, symbolic and indexical. Iconic is a connection between sign and object that looks
like what it represents—e.g. the cultural images and appearances. A sign consists of
symbol, shows the connection between sign and object because of the convention on the

11
. Barthes, Roland. Elements of Semiology. (Basingstoke, UK: Macmillan, 1977).
12
. Pierce, Sanders Charles, The Collected Papers of C. S. Peirce, 1-6, ed. Charles Hartshorne and Paul Weiss;
vols. 7-8, ed. A. W. Burks (Cambridge: Harvard, 1931-66).
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 39
Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

social agreement- e.g. flag or the Statue of Liberty is determined by convention--in other
words, its meaning is arbitrary; it is based upon agreement and learned through
experience.

Language uses words as symbols that have to be learned. An indexical sign shows the
connection between sign and object and its causalities, for example, smoke is a sign of
fire; icicles means cold. However, one can find difference between Ferdinand de
Saussure and Charles Sanders Pierce approaches to Semiotics. Most of the semioticians
point out that Saussure’s semiotic is the model of semiotic signification whereas
Pierce’s model has been defined in terms of semiotic of communication. Saussure’s
model has a focus on the sign as system and structure and denies the use of sign in a
process of communication whereas Pierce’s model is concerned with process of sign
interpretation.

The three sign types can be schematized as below:

Sign type Icon Index Symbol

Semiotic mode Similarity Cause or natural Convention
relation
Photograph Smoke for fire Word
Painting Symptom for disease Indisiginia
Practical Diagram Thermometer for heat Morse code
Example Touch of silk Crash for falling Logical sign
Musical note Feel of fur for cat tail Algebraig sign
Sweet smell Sour taste lemon
(Note: Adapted from AsriHasanah’s work, Vovember 2016, p.13)

Dress is considered as non-verbal communication. Dress and appearance have some

social and cultural significance for people in various societies as culture encompasses
objects and symbol, thus the meanings that are given to those objects and symbols, the
norms, cultural values and beliefs that pervade social life. Thus, appearances and dresses
have cultural significance. They convey meanings in various societies. Though, they
may seem as merely pieces of clothes or folded bearded, however, they have underlying
meanings. Thus, the researchers are to see under the surface of cultural ice-berg and dig
out their cultural significance and meaning which may create cultural harmony among
societies as Pakistan is rich culturally and it has much cultural diversity in terms of
dresses and appearances.

Gohil and Sidhu describe that turbans are worn by people in various cultures across the
world for 3000 years. They further go on to assert that the turban carries deep religious
significance in Sikh community in India. Besides, they further reveal that Sikh turbans
have taken a new meaning in the aftermath of terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 as
non-Sikhs tend to associate Sikhs’ turbans with Osama bin Laden. Thus, it can be said
that certain cultural appearances and dresses do convey meanings. Thus, attires or
appearances are symbols which convey meanings and a symbol is an entity that
40 Iconic Representation of Baloch
Culture: A Semiotic Analysis

represents some other entity13and according to semiotic approach, fashion (attires or

appearances) is a language and is therefore systematically organized one. Thus, this
perspective emphasizes the visual language of fashion ( attires or appearances ) with
grammar , syntax and vocabulary14, similar to the linguistic code , clothing and fashion (
including appearances have denotative ( literal ) meaning and connotative ( implied ,
symbolic ) meaning15.

The present study explore the connotative latent meanings of attires and appearances of
Baloch and Bugti tribes which may be a contribution in terms of semiotic study of
dresses and appearances of one of the communities i.e., Baloch and future researchers
may also try to explore underlying meaning in their cultural appearances and dresses.
Such studies may play a role of bridge to understand the cultural differences that exist in
all provinces of Pakistan that may create social harmony in Pakistani society. We further
argue that we are well aware of meanings conveyed by minor symbols (symbolism)
used by English writers in pre-modern, modern and post-modern era; however, we do
not have the understanding of the meanings conveyed by our own cultural dresses and
appearances in Pakistani societies. Hence, such studies may be beneficial for cultural
studies domain, not only in Pakistan but also these studies may convey cultural
significance of Pakistani cultural dresses and appearances across the world.

The present study explores underlying meanings in cultural attires and appearances of
Marri and Bugti tribes. The data have been collected from social media page of ‘Marri
and Bugti culture’. This page is relatively more reliable and credible as it has been made
to promote Marri and Bugti culture, thus we can say that the page is comparatively
reliable and authentic.

As far as application of the model of signification is concerned, two of the researchers of

the paper are native Marri and Bugti from Balochistan, thus keeping in mind the lenses
of semiotics, researchers have closely observed their cultural dresses and appearances
which carry meaning as semiotics made us conscious of the underlying meanings of
these cultural attires and appearances. On the selected attires and appearances, Peirce’s16
framework of semiotics- an iconic perspective was applied as it is said that the
arbitrariness is true in most written and spoken languages; however, it is clear that visual
signs or images are not arbitrary in terms of meanings.

13
Morris, Charles. Signs, Language and Behavior. (New York: George Braziller, 1946).
14
Barthes, Roland. The semiotic challenge. (University of California Press, 1994)./Floch, Jean-Marie. Visual
identities. (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2005). /Lurie, Alison. The language of clothes. (Random House Inc,
1981).
15
Barnard, M. Fashion As Communication. (London; New York: Routledge. 1996).
16
. Pierce, Sanders Charles, Op.cit.
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 41
Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

Analysis
Semiotic Analysis of the Cultural Images of Marri and Bugti Tribes
Image – 1
A Child with Cultural Turban

(Taken from https://www.facebook.com/Marri-culture (accessed on February, 18, 2018).

The above image 1 is of a child with cultural turban which is called ‘Phagh’ in Baloch
culture particularly in Marri and Bugti tribes. The turban has cultural significance
among these tribes.Gohil and Sidhu describe that turbans are worn by people in various
cultures across theworld for 3000 years. They further go on to assert that the turban
carries deep religious significance in Sikh community in India17, however, it carries
cultural significance among Baloch particularly Marri and Bugti tribes in Balochistan.
Gohil and Sidhu further reveal that Sikh turbans have taken a new meaning in the
aftermath of terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 as non-Sikhs tend to associate Sikhs’
turbans with Osama bin Laden18. According to them turbaned Sikhs in America have
been victim of racial violence and have had their identity challenged by calls for
immigrant groups to assimilate into Western societies. A number of references can be
found in The Old Testament regarding turbans. Turban was worn by Moses that
symbolizes his status as a prophet, holiness, and divine power 19 which shows the
relevance of wearing a turban to Islam20.

Turbans are worn by various groups across cultures for a number of reasons in South
Asia. Bejeweled turbans are worn by wealthy people which are symbol of their power,
prestige, and royalty. Along the same line, turbans are also worn to show class
difference in various cultures as high caste Hindus wear turbans to differentiate
themselves from lower castes21. Additionally, turbans are also worn by men. They

17
. Sidhu, Dawinder S & Gohil, Singh Neha, The Sikh Turban: Post 9/11 Challenges to ThisArticleto Faith
(Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion, 9: 2, 2008), 1.
18
.Sidhu & Gohil, Op.cit, 2008.
19
. Sikh Blog, Sikh Theology Why Sikhs wear a Turban, retrieved from http://igurudwara.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/02/Sikh-Theology-Why-Sikhs-wear-a-Turban.pdf .(accessed on February 22, 2018)
20
. Sidhu & Gohil, Op.cit.2007.
21
Ibid.
42 Iconic Representation of Baloch
Culture: A Semiotic Analysis

protect them in desert regions and rural areas from dust and heat 22. Besides, turbans also
symbolize good faith and hospitality in a dealing or agreement 23.

Marri people in Balochistan usually buy white cloth for turban because white colour
signifies one segment of Marri tribe i.e. Ghazeni; the black colour signifies the second,
i.e. Bijarni and grey colour signifies the third segment of the Marri tribe; Loharani.
Turban in Marri culture signifies living among people with honor and dignity. The Marri
people who are followers of their culture never miss their turbans whenever they go to
any marriage ceremony or any ‘Merh’ which is a kind of gathering of tribal elders in
order to sort out tribal disputes. The elder sit together and both the disputed parties are
directed to sit and express their grievances and problem which are resolved peacefully
by tribal elders who wear turbans. The one who comes without turban is usually
considered unethical and against the norms and values of the Marri and Bugti tribes.

The ‘Phagh’ is identical for every tribe and differs in style and size both so as in Bugti
tribe. In Bugti tribe identical phenomenon is even unique. The right side fold line
particularly known as ‘Perozani Bugti style’ which signifies an individual who belongs
to Perozani sub-tribes of Bugti community, who dwell in the eastern and north eastern
areas of Bugti lands bordering Marri and Domki tribes. Whereas the straight ‘Phagh’
signifies people in eastern and southern region of Bugti tribe. This arrangement was
once deliberately managed to limit the tribal clashes to sub-tribes as these tribal clashes
normally resulted in heavy bloodshed and the enmity continued for decades.

Image – 2
A Man with Cultural Askew Turban

(Taken from https://www.facebook.com/Marri-culture (accessedonFebruary 22, 2008)

The above image 2 is a Marri man with askew turban askew. Turban is worn in two
ways by Marri and Bugti people: one is straight which signifies more formal, is usually
adopted by tribal elders whenever any tribal gathering is attended i.e. gathering in order
to sort out any tribal disputes; marriage ceremony; however, askew turban is usually
adopted by youngsters which signifies as informal and it is usually adopted by the ones

22
. Schmid,Paul, Understanding Turbans, (The Seattle Times, NA), Retrieved
fromhttp://www.sikhinterfaithvic.org.au/Understanding%20turbans.pdf. (accessed on February 23, 2018).
23
. The Koh-i-noor Diamond BBC, (2002). retrieved fromhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A730801. (accessed
on February 23, 2018).
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 43
Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

who are emotionally lively and vivacious or to some extent, it signifies love attachments
to beloved. Turbans are also worn to show political affiliations 24. In recent years,
turbans have also emerged as a stylish accessory for American artist 25. Additionally, an
authentic Sikh turban has been worn by legendary jazz musician Dr. Lonnie Smith for
no particular reason26In addition; a turban has been worn by Andre “3000” Benjamin in
order to look cool. Further, turbans have been worn by several celebrities such as
Jennifer Lopes, Katie Holmes, Ralph Lauren, and Marc Jocobs27. Moreover, the askew
turban is worn by Marri and Bugti people intentionally because it usually signifies
young age. Cap is slightly visible in the image which is shown deliberately. The slight
part of the cap signifies that it is not only the turban but cap is also there because
wearing turban without cap signifies unethical nature of individuals. The young men
among Marri tribe show a part of cap intentionally which also signifies beauty. It is
usually done by young people because of their emotional attachments.

Various biased approaches can also be seen across world regarding turban such as two
independent surveys i.e. Google Consumer survey and Politix were conducted regarding
turbans in America28. The results of their study reveal that: a) Americans tend to
associate turbans with Osama bin Laden and because of wearing turban 49 % Americans
believe that Sikh is a sect of Islam29. Politix Surveys reveals that 20 % of the American
respondents are of the view that if they encounter a man in turban, they are likely to
become angry and apprehensive. The results of the survey reveal that turban is
considered as an object of enmity which affects the perception of its wearers whoever
they happen to be30. Gohil and Sidhu are of the view that one should be mindful of the
fact that turbans have religious and cultural significance across the world 31 so as it has
cultural significance in Marri and Bugti tribes in Balochistan.

24
. Sidhu&Gohil, Op.cit.2007.
25
. Milkowski& Smith, Loonie,The Doctor Is In!, JAZZ TIMES, retrieved from
http://jazztimes.com/columnS_and_features/table_of_contents/article_excerpts/index.cfm?articl_id=15242,
( accessedonFebruary 24, 2018).
26
. Sidhu & Gohil, Op.cit.2007.
27
. Ibid.
28
Stanford Peace innovative Lab, Turban myths: The opportunity and challenges forreframing a cultural
symbol for post 9/11 America, (Stanford California, 2013).
29
. Stanford Peace innovative Lab, Op.cit,2013.
30
. Ibid.
31
. Gohil & Sidhu, Op.cit, 2007.
44 Iconic Representation of Baloch
Culture: A Semiotic Analysis

Image - 3
a) The Image of a Girl with “Tokh” (neck ring), and b) The Image of Bugti Women
Dressed in White Kameez with Colored Shalwar, and Red Head Scarf

(A) (B)

(Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/Marri/baloch-culture(accessed on March 4,

2018)

Image 3 ‘a’ is a Marri girl who is in her cultural dress including ear rings, cultural hair
style and a cultural object which is worn around the neck, called “Tokhh” ( neck ring).
The Neck rings are worn across cultures and various myths are attached to it as it is
considered as a form of jewellery worn as an ornament around the neck of an individual
particularly women. Brass coils Neck rings are worn by women of Kayan tribe in
Myanmar in their entire lives in order to lengthen their necks and the belief that is
attached to it is; the longer the neck, the more beautiful the woman 32. On the other hand,
neck rings are found inside as well as outside of Scandinavia and that are closely related
to the burial rites33. A bulk of studies has been carried out on various interpretations of
neck rings across cultures.

The ‘Tokhh’ is significant in Marri and Bugti cultures especially among Women. It
signifies a woman who is married, because it is only worn around the neck by married
women. However, single women or girls do not put it around the neck. Thus, the ‘Tokh’
in Marri and Bugti cultures signifies marital life.

In the same image 3(a), the hair style of girl is similar to French braid, which is
traditionally called “Mendhi” in Bugti tribe. This specific hair style signifies unmarried
girls. The marriage ritual of Bugti tribe includes un-waving of Mendhi, In Bugti tribe

32
. Korzhov, Nikolay, In pictures: Myanmar’s neck ring women. In Pictures,(2013)retrieved
fromhttps://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2013/09/2013911121115463797.html. (accessed on
March 5, 2018)
33
Ström, Krister. Torshammarringen—etl i Västmanland unikt vikingatida föremål.
Västmanlands fornminnesförenings årsskrift, (1973): 105-117.
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 45
Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

early child marriage is very common and un-waving of Mehndi denotes that the girl is
woman from day after engagement or marriage. However, the girl having Mendhi style
is not single, thus cannot be proposed, because the engaged girls also adopt the same
hair style.

On the other hand, a woman in the image 3‘b’, belongs to Bugti tribe of Baloch
community. Women in Baloch folk normally wear colorful dresses but specifically
white kameez with simple black or brown embroidery signifies the social permission for
women to lead young women of the family and to communicate with strangers in
absence of men, as women in such attires are believed to be old and mature enough to
safeguard the family prestige.

Image – 4
A man with folded/curled beard

(Taken from https://www.facebook.com/Marri-culture( accessed on March, 13, 2018).

Men with beards feel themselves as more masculine and dominant than clean-shaven34.
Watkins, Jones, and Debruine are of the view that men with higher self-reported, social
dominance and with greater stature are less sensitive to cues of facial dominance rather
than men of shorter stature and lower self-reported social dominance35. The results of a
great deal of studies reveal that facial masculinity and beardedness are usually
associated with masculinity and dominance 36.

The above image 4 is of a Marri man with folded/curled beard. Having beard is one of
the important aspects of Marri culture and the folded/curled beard has cultural
significance. The folded beard signifies a man who is emotionally attached with his
beloved or the ones who considers themselves young as they preen their beards with

34
. Wood, Douglas R. "Self-perceived masculinity between bearded and non-beardedmales."Perceptual and
Motor Skills 62, no. 3 (1986): 769-770.
35
. Watkins, Christopher D., Benedict C. Jones, and Lisa M. DeBruine. "Individualdifferencesindominance
perception: Dominant men are less sensitive to facial cues of male dominance." Personality and Individual
Differences 49, no. 8 (2010): 967-971.
36
. Geniole, Shawn N., and Cheryl M. McCormick."Facing our ancestors: judgementsofaggression are
consistent and related to the facial width-to-height ratio in men irrespective of beards."Evolution and
Human Behavior 36, no. 4 (2015): 279-285.
46 Iconic Representation of Baloch
Culture: A Semiotic Analysis

care. Folded/curled beard also signifies happiness; however, beards are not folded
whenever there is any demise in family or one is going through domestic problems.
Furthermore, the folded/curled beard also signifies the ones who consider themselves
vivacious; hence, curled beards are perfumed. Moreover, they love to turn their
moustaches up which signify bravery and boldness; thus, moustaches are also drenched
with scent. Consequently, it can be said in semiotic perspectives that folded beard has
cultural underlying meanings.

Conclusion and Suggestions

The aim of the paper was to explore the underlying meanings in cultural appearance and
attires of Marri and Bugti cultures in Balochistan. The analysis of the images show
underlying meanings attached to cultural attires and appearances i.e. Turban; askew
turban; neck ring, Mendhi (specific hair style); Colorful dresses (white kameez with
simple black or brown embroidery) and folded bearded. The analysis shows that turban
signifies specific meanings, its color shows certain specific segment of Marri tribe and
its style shows specific segment of Bugti tribe. Further, turban also signifies honor and
dignity. However, the Askew Turban signifies vivaciousness, love attachments and
informality (see image 1, 2) as Gohil and Sidhu in their study show some religious and
social aspects of turban. Besides, “Tokhh” (neck ring) also signifies some cultural
meanings and interpretation as it signifies marital life (see image 3 (a) and “Mendhi” in
Bugti tribe, a specific hair style, also signifies the marriage or engagement of a girl so
that one may not propose her as proposing a girl when she is engaged, is considered
against cultural values and honor, thus specific hair style is adopted (see image 3 (a)) as
mentioned in review that Morris, Barthes and Barnard also discuss cultural significance
of cultural appearances and dresses. Moreover, the analysis also show colorful dresses
signify cultural underlying meanings as white kameez with simple black or brown
embroidery signifies the social permission for women in Bugti tribe and Marri tribes (
see image 3 (b). Finally, the folded bearded signifies emotional attachments to beloved
and it is also associated with masculinity and dominance (see image 4). Though, other
cultural attires and appearances may also signify underlying cultural meanings,
however, they were beyond the scope of the present paper because of limitation of a
single paper, but few researchers may also explore other attires and appearances.

Culture has certain elements such as a) language; b) dress and appearance; c) food and
eating habits; d) music and dance; e) interpersonal relationship; and f) beliefs and
attitudes. The study has investigated the meanings attached to some of cultural
appearances and attires such as folded beard, Turban (Straight and Askew), neck ring,
hair style and dresses (see image 1 to 4). The results of the study reveal that Marri and
Bugti cultures are very rich in terms of latent meanings which are not visible. Though,
we are aware of various meanings/interpretations attached to symbolism and cultural
objects to western world but majority of the people are unaware regarding various
meanings attached to our own various Pakistani cultures. Our ignorance towards our
own indigenous cultures may results cultural death of communities who live in Pakistan.
The future researchers may explore various interpretations attached to their cultures
across Pakistan and the present paper may serve as patterns for future researches in this
domain.
Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 47
Vol: 59(1) Jan-Jun 2020

It is generally observed that lack of understanding regarding different cultures leads us

towards cultural misunderstanding which may result lack of intercultural awareness,
intolerance, and ethnical strife among communities within Pakistani Society.
Furthermore, the post-modern era which focuses on globalization and pluralism
contribute to a diversified community and provide exposure to new cultural
perspectives. The lack of cultural awareness can be challenging for student advisors in
universities at national and international level who have low intercultural and cross-
cultural exposure other than their own. Intercultural and cross cultural interactions have
many benefits, but only if we are open to other cultures. Consistent intercultural
interaction and awareness increase individual’s likelihood to challenge personal beliefs
and embrace new perspectives37.Additionally, if one does not have opportunity to
interact to individual of diversified communities personally, thus he/she can make it
possible because of the rapid development of science and technology. The
communication between different cultures becomes easier, necessary and possible
through research works. Research articles are grand platforms which combine world
economy, science, technology and culture from different areas.

From this perspective, the present study may fill the gap and open a new dimension at
national level to explore latent meanings attached to cultural objects, appearances, and
attires which may enhance cultural awareness. Summing up, the present paper was an
attempt to enhance cultural awareness within Pakistani society which may result in
creating tolerance in the society and help people to understand the cultural diversity
within Pakistani society.

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