Tibet flourished as an independent kingdom from the seventh century A.D. until the 1700's, when it came under nominal Chinese control. Tibet reasserted its independence in 1911. However, China again invaded in 1950 and fought to gain control of what was considered a strategic border area in Tibet. When Tibet officially became an autonomous region of China in 1965, thousands of Tibetans fled to India, following their religious leader, the Dalai Lama. However, many centuries before that time, the Burig and the Baltistani Bhotia had already been well established in Pakistan. They had their own Balti states, which were gradually absorbed into the British-Indian empire beginning in 1840.

What Are Their Lives Like?
Although the Tibetans in Pakistan have been Muslim for more than 500 years, their Tibetan Buddhist roots can still be seen in their clothing, food, folklore, and language. Both the Baltistani Bhotia and the Burig speak archaic Tibetan dialects that resemble seventh century classical Tibetan. These two groups are the most westerly extension of the Tibetan-Burman language family.

Before 1947, trade and travel between the people of the Balti states and their Indian neighbors were constant. However, since the partition of Pakistan and India in 1947, Baltistan (and the Tibetans) have been more isolated.

The Tibetans live in the arid Karakoram Mountain region. Their communities are located between the international borders of western China and the northern section of the disputed Kashmir territories of India and Pakistan. The mountains are rugged and harsh, receiving only six inches of rain annually; therefore, the Tibetans depend heavily on glacial runoff to irrigate their crops. Barley, wheat, and millet are grown where water is sufficient. The hot summer temperatures also allow for a wide variety of fruits to be raised.

The Tibetans are not nomadic like the other ethnic groups in the area. Instead, they transfer their livestock from one grazing ground to another with the changing of seasons. During the summer months, they drive the herds to alpine pastures. All households have at least one female zmo, which is a cross between a cow and a yak. Dairy products are made from the milk of these animals.

The old tradition of an artisan class remains among the Tibetans. This class is made up of craftsmen such as blacksmiths and cabinetmakers. The artisans travel from village to village and are paid for their work with butter and wheat.

Tibetan communities are located in the fertile narrow valleys formed by the tributaries of the Indus River. Their villages consist of tightly clustered stone and mud houses that are connected by narrow passageways. A typical Tibetan house in Pakistan has three levels: a basement, a ground level with several rooms, and a flat roof, which makes a third level. At night the family's sheep, goats, and yaks are kept in the basement, or balti. This is the term after which the Balti were named. In the summer, the families do much of their work and other activities on the roof.

Until the 1900's, the Tibetans were semi-independent under local rulers. Today, they are under Pakistani administration, governed by a federally appointed district commissioner. There is very little crime in Baltistan.

The Tibetans in Pakistan wear traditional wool clothing. The men wear white woolen garments, while the women wear black wool. Both men and women wear skull caps decorated with flowers, berries, or leaves.

What Are Their Beliefs?
Centuries ago the Tibetans were Buddhist. In the 1400's, they converted to Islam and have remained strong Muslims since that time. Recently, however, there has been increasing tension between their pre-Islamic folk traditions and Islam. For instance, the Muslim Tibetans have continued to perform their traditional epic poem called "Lepo Kesar." This saga, which takes eight days to perform, is shown all over Central Asia and Tibet. However, this tradition has recently become a strong point of contention between the Tibetan Muslims and other orthodox Muslim groups. Many of the Tibetans are now torn between the two major elements of their ethnic identity.

What Are Their Needs?
The Tibetans of Pakistan need to know that their true identity can only be found through knowing Jesus Christ. They have access to the New Testament in their own dialects, but have not yet responded to the Gospel.

The disputed Kashmir region forms the southeastern border of Baltistan. Consequently, the whole region has been closed to foreign travelers for 14 years, which has prevented missions work among the Tibetans. Prayer is the key to seeing them reached with the Gospel.

• Pray that the Lord will raise up laborers who are willing to invest long term service to the Tibetans of Pakistan.
• Ask the Lord to begin revealing Himself to these precious people through dreams and visions.
• Pray that the Pakistani Christians will gain a vision to see the Tibetans reached with the Gospel.
• Ask God to raise up teams of intercessors to stand in the gap for the Tibetans of Pakistan.
• Pray that the Pakistani government will be favorable toward Christians and will allow them to freely preach the Gospel.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping these tribes bound.
• Ask God to send medical teams and humanitarian aid workers to minister to the Tibetans of Pakistan.
• Pray that strong local churches will be planted among the Burig and the Baltistani by the year 2000.

[Map] [Table]

See also the following related groups: the Central Tibetan of China; the Tibetan of Nepal, China, and India.

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Bethany World Prayer Center
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