UNREACHED/UNENGAGED PEOPLE GROUPS - erinfo.orgER SOE Affiliation: Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal; many others have contact with them. CHODHARI The Chodhari live mainly in southeastern
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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:
India Population: 2,280,000
Language: Kannada
Major religion: Hindu
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 16365
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
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Least Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16367
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:
India Population: 58,346,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16521
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:
India Population: 22,000
Language: Chodri, Gujarati
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16608
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:
India Population: 962,000
Language: Urdu
Major religion: Muslim
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 17513
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
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 16683
ER SOE Affiliation: Karnataka
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:
India Population: 3,791,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16696
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
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 16768
ER SOE Affiliation: Bihar
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:
India Population: 13,630,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism (influenced by animism)
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16855
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:
India Population: 794,000
Language: Kannada
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 18775
ER SOE Affiliation: Karnataka
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:
India Population: 110,000
Language: Jaunsari
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16998
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:
India Population: 323,000
Language: Marathi, Katkari
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 17300
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.
Evangelical Christian: 0%
Statistics:
Nepal Population: 2,300,000
Languages: Maithili, Tharu
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
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:
India Population: 614,000
Language: Mising
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least Reached
Joshua Project ID: 17563
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:
India Population: 2,691,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 17711
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
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 14250
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:
India Population: 1,534,000
Language: Oriya, Bengali
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 17840
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
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 10892
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:
India Population: 3,272,000
Language: Urdu
Major religion: Islam or Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 17877
ER SOE Affiliation: Karnataka
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
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 10587
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:
India Population: 43,553,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Unengaged
Joshua Project ID: 17928
ER SOE Affiliation: Bihar
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
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 11359
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:
India Population: 52,376,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16561
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.
Evangelical Christian: 0%
Statistics:
India Population: 380,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 18273
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:
India Population: 1,073,000
Language: Varli
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 18299
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:
India Population: 57,166,000
Language: Hindi
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 16187
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:
India Population: 43,553,000
Language: Yeu or Telegu
Major religion: Hinduism
Status: Unreached, Least-Reached
Joshua Project ID: 18342
ER SOE Affiliation: Andhra Pradesh
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