The Lasis (Sindhi: لاسي) are a Sindhiethnic community or group of Sindhi tribes in Balochistan, Pakistan.[1] They form 4.56% of the total population of the province as of 2017, and are the predominant group in the lowlands of former princely state of Lasbela.[2] Now divided into two districts of Balochistan i.e. Lasbela and Hub, some area is in Gwadar district called Ormara. Lasis are also called as Jamote, a term used in Kalat and Kachhi regions, They occupy a high social position and have traditionally been engaged as agricultural landlords. They speak the Lasi dialectofSindhi Language. Although social stratification is found in individual tribes, there is no social hierarchy or rigid tribal structure.[2]
According to the 1998 Census of Pakistan, all the tribes other than Baloch, Brahui, Med, Khoja and Hindus who have settled in Lasbela are known as "Lasi". The
principal Lasi tribes are only five in number. The Jamot, Runjhas, Sheikh, Angaria and the Burra. Together they are called the Panjraj and constitute a tribal confederation.[3]
The tribes include the Abras, Angarias (12.5%), Burras (9.0%), Dambis, Gidris, Gungas (13.0%), Gwaranjos, Jamots (14.8%), Kundolas, Mandras (6.6%), Mangias (4.0%), Mashwanis, Masunis, Mushanis, Runjhas (14.3%), Samots, Shahoks (4.4%), Sheikhs (5.4%), Sithars, and the Zuars.[2]
Some other tribes settled in the Las Bela district include Afghan, and Baluch.[4] The main Lasi tribes claim descent from the Soomras and SammasofSindh.[5]
^ abcScholz, Fred (2002). Nomadism and colonialism: a hundred years of Baluchistan; 1872 - 1972. Oxford New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 24–29. ISBN978-0-19-579638-4. The tribal group of the Lasis, which encompasses the tribes of the Abras, Angarias (12.5 per cent), Burras (9.0 per cent), Dambis, Gidris, Gungas (13.0 per cent), Gwaranjos, Jamots (14.8 per cent), Kundolas, Mandras (6.6 per cent), Mangias (4.0 per cent), Mashwanis, Masunis, Mushanis, Runjhas (14.3 per cent), Samots, Shahoks (4.4 per cent), Sheikhs (5.4 per cent), Sithars, and Zuars, occurs exclusively in the Las Bela district, where it accounts for 67.7 percent of the population.
Scholz, Fred (2002) [1974]. Nomadism & colonialism : a hundred years of Baluchistan, 1872-1972. Karachi ; Oxford ; New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN978-0-19-579638-4.
