The Migration of Iranian Baluchis to East Africa: A Successful Paradigm for the Persistence of Identity and Cultural Interaction

The aim of this article is to draw an overall picture of the past and present situation of Iranian Baluchis in East Africa and the way they adapt to the new environment, based on an examination of various aspects of the reasons and ways of migration. Identifying the reasons for Baluch migration to East Africa and the impact of their presence on the indigenous population (and vice versa) are the main objectives of this article. The hypothesis of the article is that the indigenous population of East Africa welcomed the immigrants and established an amicable relationship with them. The theoretical framework of this article is based on the “interactive theory of acculturation and integration index in acculturation model” by Richard Bourhis. The author has attempted to examine the cultural interaction between Baluch immigrants and East African natives through qualitative content analysis, analysis of historical sources and field research as well as personal observations. The bilateral socio-cultural consequences of Baluch immigration to East Africa are considered as independent variables