unreached/unengaged people groups - erinfo.orger soe affiliation: sikkim, arunachal pradesh, west...

UNREACHED/UNENGAGED PEOPLE GROUPS

BADHAI*

The Badhai, Hindu of India are also known as the Jangid Brahman. Before the

Industrial Revolution in Europe the Jangid Brahman enjoyed the status of chief

engineer/architect in Indian villages and cultures. They are traditional Hindus and

follow the ancient way as they themselves created various forms of Hindu idols and

temples. One of their needs is systematic education in field engineering as they have

strong technical inheritance. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:

India Population: 6,121,000

Language: Hindi

Major religion: Hinduism

Status: Unreached, Unengaged

Joshua Project ID: 16332

ER SOE Affiliation: Bihar

BEDAR*

The Bedars are a Dravidian tribe in origin. “Bedar” comes from the word “bed” or

“bedaru” meaning a hunter. Hindus are known as Bedar and Muslims as Berad. They

prefer to be called Naikwadi because they serve as village policemen or Talwar

(watchmen) or Naikmakkalu (chief ’s children). They have six social divisions. They

work as servants, traders, messengers, police and soldiers. Evangelical Christian:

0%

Statistics:


Language: Kannada

Major religion: Hindu



ER SOE Affiliation: Karnataka

BEDIA*

Historically, the community of Bedia (Nat or Kanjar) is linked to royal families. As

court dancers, the women used to be available for entertaining the king and his as-

sociates, and they often served the special visitors in the royal court. Today, with no

kings, many of the women entered prostitution as a profession. They are very low

caste, ostracized by others in their culture. Evangelical Christian: 0.8%

Statistics:

India Population: 516,000

Language: Hindi


Status: Unreached, Least Reached


ER SOE Affiliation: Rajasthan

BRAHMAN “Brahman” in the original Sanskrit language means “supreme self,” the highest, or first

among castes. Because of diverse religious and cultural traditions, the group has many

sub-castes. Many Brahmans are also Hindu priests. Their relative wealth and broad social

acceptance create challenges for evangelism: they often do not feel the need for a Savior.

Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi


Status: Least-Reached


ER SOE Affiliation: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal; many others have contact with them.

CHODHARI The Chodhari live mainly in southeastern Gujarat State in west India. They are simple

people, who mainly work as small farmers, cultivating cotton, vegetables, and rice. They

practice both ethnic religions and Hinduism, including worship of Mehta, who is thought

to inhabit whirlwinds, thunder, lightning, and earthquakes. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Chodri, Gujarati




ER SOE Affiliation: Gujarat

DARZI-URDU** The Darzis derived their name from the Persian word ‘to sew’ or darzan. Sometimes the

Darzi are known by the name Darji or Khayyat in India where most of their community

live. There are more than 3.5 million Darzis in all and about one third of those are

Muslims, the rest are Hindus. They often occupy a middle ground of social status. As

tailors they enjoy close relations with other Muslim tradesmen. Evangelical Christian:

0%

Statistics:


Language: Urdu

Major religion: Muslim



ER SOE Affiliation: Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal

DEVADASI

The Devadasi are women who were sold into slavery as temple prostitutes, some

when they were as young as eight years old. They are considered undesirable

when as young as 20, and rejected for the rest of their lives as outcasts. Many are

unable to earn a living, have children they cannot support, and live in extreme

poverty. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:

India Population: 200,000 (true numbers are unknown because the

practice is illegal,)

Language: Telegu





DHANUK

The Dhanuks live all across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Most are

employed by landlords and well-to-do people to do private household work. They

dwell mostly in river basins and near forests, so they also fish and keep farm

animals. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi




ER SOE Affiliation: Haryana (Chandigarh)

GADARIA

The Gadaria have virtually abandoned their traditional occupation of rearing

sheep and goats. They are now mainly engaged as laborers in masonry work,

while some are involved in animal husbandry. Low literacy rates can be an

obstacle to the Gospel, but not necessarily. If oral means of communication are

effectively used, individuals can readily understand. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:

India Population: 6,350.000

Language: Hindi





GOND Gonds are agriculturists and choose to live near the rivers and forests. They

cultivate rice and other cereal grains, and also raise small farm animals. Girls

are often married between the ages of 13 and 15. There are seven Gond clans,

and each has gods numbering from one to seven. They often offer goats to evil

spirits, waiting for a nod from the goat, which would seem to indicate its

agreement to be sacrificed. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi

Major religion: Hinduism (influenced by animism)



ER SOE Affiliation: Maharashtra

HOLER

The Holer, also known as Holeya, are the field laborers of southwestern India.

They constitute the backbone of cultivation in the country. The caste has

numerous sub-divisions. Bhuta worship (offering sacrifices to demons) is

common among them, with four or five prominent entities among their so-

called gods. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Kannada





JAUNSARI

The Jaunsari (Pahari) live primarily in the northern Indian state of Uttar

Pradesh. They are Indo-European speaking people of the Himalayas. Many are

landowners and Hindu priests, but some are servants. Most are farmers.

Virtually all Jaunsari are Hindu, but are not as strict as most Hindus. They also

believe that ghosts and demons haunt crossroads and rivers. Evangelical

Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Jaunsari




ER SOE Affiliation: Uttarakhand

KAIBARTTA

The Kaibartta’s primary occupation has been that of fishermen since

their earliest days. In fact, their name may have originated from the

words “ka,” which means water, and either “vrit,” which means to

exist, or “varta” meaning livelihood. From a cultural standpoint, the

Kaibartta are a despised people. Some people in India view them as

primitive, uncultured, and tribal. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:

• India Population: 1,854,000

• Language: Bengali

• Major religion: Hinduism

• Status: Unreached, Unengaged

• Joshua Project ID: 17016

• ER SOE Affiliation: Bihar

KATKARI

The Katkari, also known as Kathodi, are social outcasts—particularly

disadvantaged and vulnerable. Mostly landless, they have become nomads in

search of sustenance, working primarily as agricultural laborers. The Katkari

have low literacy levels, so the gospel must be shared with them orally. Some

Katkari practice witchcraft and sorcery. Evangelical Christian: 0.3%

Statistics:


Language: Marathi, Katkari




ER SOE Affiliation: Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat

MADHESI

The term Madhesi refers to a geographic region in Nepal rather than a

single people group. Madhesi tribes include the Tharu, Pahari, Bahun,

Chhetri, and Newar. They observe a number of faiths, including

Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Islam. Most governmental

functions are conducted in Nepali, which is not widely spoken among

the Madhesi. This has led to some political unrest and sectarianism.


Statistics:

Nepal Population: 2,300,000

Languages: Maithili, Tharu



Joshua Project ID (Tharu): 15464 (Chhetri): 16589

ER SOE Affiliation: Nepal

MAZHABI-SIKH

Likewise, the Mazhabi Sikhs of India are the “lowest of the low” in relation to

other peoples in Indian society. They are known as an untouchable caste, not

allowed to live with the larger population, to be educated with the general

population, or to attend certain religious services. They are part of the former

“scavengers” of India. Poverty and illiteracy are still rampant among their

population in rural Punjab. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:

• India Population: 2,599,000

• Language: Panjabi

• Major religion: Sikh

• Status: Unreached, Unengaged

• Joshua Project ID: 17475

• ER SOE Affiliation: Haryana/Punjab

MIRI

The Miri are the largest tribal group in Northeast India, of east Asian descent.

They share cultural and linguistic characteristics with the Mongols of China.

They typically live along the banks of the rivers, which makes them subject to

frequent floods which destroy livelihoods and bring disease. “Miri” means

“middlemen” in an ancient dialect, explaining the existence of many clans and

differing dialects. The Miri are a diverse group of people; reaching them will

take perseverance and creativity. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Mising


Status: Least Reached


ER SOE Affiliation: Arunachal Pradesh

MUSAHAR

The Musahar (also known as the Bhuiya) are considered one of the

lowest of the “untouchable” Dalit groups in India. Their name is

derived from two words meaning “rat catcher” and is likely given

to them because of their tendency to eat rodents in times of dire

need. They follow a tribal faith and worship their family deity, the

village deity, and the gods of the wider Hindu faith. Evangelical

Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi




ER SOE Affiliation: Jharkhand, Bihar

PADAUNG

For centuries the Padaung women have been a source of curiosity because of

their custom of wearing up to 32 gold-colored brass neck coils. Thankfully,

this practice is falling out of favor. Their religious beliefs are a curious

mixture of Buddhism and Animism. Many have converted to Catholicism.

There are few Evangelicals.

Statistics:

Myanmar Population: 61,600

Language: Kayan

Major religion: Buddhism



ER SOE Affiliation: Myanmar

PANO

Orissa, India is the primary home of the Pano or Pan people. Many Pans

also live in other parts of India such as West Bengal, Jharkhand and

Andhra Pradesh. The Panos are Oriya speaking people while some of

them also speak Hindi. The majority of Panos live by farming or

fishing. They take menial jobs because they are Dalits (untouchable

caste). Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Oriya, Bengali




ER SOE Affiliation: Jharkhand

PA-O

The Pa-O people live in Southeast Asia, with the highest concentration

living in the Shan State of Myanmar. They are also called Taungthu,

which means “hill people.” They are strongly Buddhist, and have been

for many centuries, worshipping in wooden temples constructed on the

outskirts of their villages. Evangelical Christian: .3%

Statistics:

Myanmar Population: 840,000

Language: Pa’o

Major religion: Buddhism



ER SOE Affiliation: Myanmar

PINJARA**

The Pinjara (Pinja, Penja, Bahna or Dhunia) derive their name from the term pinjala

meaning ‘cotton weaver.’ Their traditional occupation is naturally one of cleaning

and reeling cotton to make pillows, quilts or even mattresses. The over 3 million

Pinjara can be found either Muslim or Hindu. Very little ministry activity has been

focused on the Pinjara. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Urdu

Major religion: Islam or Hinduism




PYGMY

A large number of unreached Pygmies live in the tropical rain

forests of Central Africa. Pygmies are forest dwellers and

nomads. They are Animists, and deeply superstitious. ER has

engaged the Baka Pygmies for more than a decade, establishing

a 2-year Bible School among them. Evangelical Christian:

1.1%

Statistics:

Cameroon Population: 1,073,000

Language: Baka

Major religion: Animism



ER SOE Affiliation: Cameroon, Pygmy Bible School in Moloundou

RAJPUT

The name Rajput is derived from the Sanskrit word rajputra, meaning son of a ruler. The

Rajputra constitutes a class of nobility. High caste communities find it especially

difficult to humble themselves enough to accept God’s free gift. There are many sub-

groups within this very large people group. Sustained prayer and dedicated workers are

needed. Evangelical Christian: .02%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi





ROHINGYA** The Rohingya are greatly persecuted and unwelcome in any nation.

They have been described as “among the world’s least wanted,”

sometimes subject to forced labor and confined in squalid refugee

camps. Many Rohingya have fled persecution by boat, only to be

stranded at sea when they are not allowed to land. Evangelical

Christian: 0%

Statistics:

Population in Bangladesh and Myanmar: 1,048,000

Language: Rakhine

Major religion: Islam



ER SOE Affiliation: Bangladesh and Myanmar

SATNAMI The Satnami people group is also known as the “Chamar.” They live primarily in

the states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. With a population of over

50 million, they are among the largest “untouchable,” or Dalit, communities in the

Hindu world. They commonly make shoes or engage in petty labor. Evangelical

Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi




ER SOE Affiliation: Madhya Pradesh

TURI The Turi are also known as the Husil, a term which signifies a worker in

bamboo. They are an “untouchable” caste, and must live outside the

village. They may not even draw water from the common well. The

social and economic status of the Turi makes their existence very fragile.


Statistics:


Language: Hindi




ER SOE Affiliation: Jharkhand

VARLI The Varli (also spelled Warli) are a “scheduled” tribe, allowing them to receive

government assistance. They speak an Indo-Aryan tribal language that is not written.

The main work of the Varli is in agriculture. They worship primarily female

goddesses. Evangelical Christian: 0%

Statistics:


Language: Varli




ER SOE Affiliation: Maharashtra

YADAV* The Yadav are a caste comprising of milkmen, cowherds, cattle breeders and

laborers. They live almost all over India and in South-Nepal. The Yadav participate

in the local traditional and socio-religious festivals. They have expertise in oral

traditions and group singing in praise of the god Vishnu, Krishna or one of the many

other gods that they worship. Most of the Yadav die never hearing the name of Jesus

once in a lifetime! Evangelical Christian: 0.0%

Statistics:


Language: Hindi




ER SOE Affiliation: Many SOEs

YERUKALA The Yerukala are named after their women’s traditional profession of fortune-telling,

which is still prevalent. They also make baskets, weaver’s combs, and market curry

or salt. They worship common Hindu gods, and appease those they consider

malevolent. They crave education, which has long been denied them, as a means to

financial freedom. The caste system, though illegal, still causes them social

discrimination. Evangelical Christian: 0.2%

Statistics:


Language: Yeu or Telegu


Status: Unreached, Least-Reached


ER SOE Affiliation: Andhra Pradesh

unreached/unengaged people groups - erinfo.orger soe affiliation: sikkim, arunachal pradesh, west...

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