DefinePK

Abstract

INTRODUCTION


Makranis, inhabiting Makran coast near Karachi are reportedly African in origin. They arrived as slaves in India in 18th and 19th centuries. Some of the treaties prohibiting the slave trade in India are quoted as early as 18201. They belong to lower socio-economic group and are mostly employed as domestic servants or labourers2. Inspite of many inter-marriages, they retain some of their original cultural phenomena. Their festivities involve dancing on African drums. They are less sophisticated, rather aggressive by nature, often illiterate but with some religious education at home or in the local mosque. Wife-battering is common and the natives declare that they are as vengeful as camels2. Jewellery is regarded as a symbol of femininity and their females start wearing it from a very young age. A woman is considered to be worthless if she is sterile and this often forces the husband to seek for a new wife. Two case reports of trichotillomania in Makrani women are presented.