Pashayi in Afghanistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Pashayi, one of the most ancient peoples in Afghanistan, have been animists, Buddhists and Hindus before they became Muslim. Pashayi refers to their language. There are two theories regarding the origins of the Pashayi people. One is they were members of the Gandhara culture that goes back to 1400 BCE and they were pushed out of their original homeland by a Pashtu speaking people. The other theory, based on ethnographic evidence, suggests that they share a common root culture with the other mountain peoples of this region that predates the Gandhara culture.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Pashayi economy is based on a blend of agriculture and livestock herding. Those in the lower levels are most likely to be rice, wheat and maize farmers. They also grow poppies, walnuts and mulberries. Those in the higher elevation primarily raise goats but also sheep and cattle. Men do most of the herding activities.
They have their hierarchy depending on occupation. The highest group are the property owners. Beneath them are the artisans, and at the bottom are the landless tenants. This is like a caste system, but not as rigid.
Village councils make decisions that affect their agricultural lives like who gets irrigated water. When it comes to individual rights, each person has to guard their own rights and avenge wrongs committed against them. For this reason, feuds are very common. Men are expected to be skilled fighters who will defend themselves whenever needed. For that reason, they carry knives at all times and sometimes firearms. Those who are considered "without honor" are ridiculed and belittled through songs, snide remarks and even by people pouring ashes on their heads.
Pashayi women have more freedom and they are not secluded like they are with other nearby cultures. Women can even interact freely with men in some cases.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pashayi people are Sunni Muslims, yet they depend on amulets and charms.


What Are Their Needs?

The Pashayi people need good sources of water and better medical and educational facilities.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to bless the Pashayi abundantly through adequate water, a good harvest, and by meeting their physical and spiritual needs as a testimony of his sovereignty.
Pray for Christ's ambassadors to have the chance to interact with Pashayi leaders, opening the way for the gospel to bless this Muslim people group.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Pashayi people that will never die.


Scripture Prayers for the Pashayi in Afghanistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pashayi
People Name in Country Pashayi
Alternate Names Galo; Kohiste; Maiyon; इंडस कोहिस्तानी, गालो
Population this Country 51,000
Population all Countries 77,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18369
ROP3 Code 113939
ROP25 Code 304106
ROP25 Name Kohistani
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 10  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 10  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kohistani, Indus (51,000 speakers)
Language Code mvy   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kohistani, Indus (51,000 speakers)
Language Code mvy   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kohistani, Indus

Primary Language:  Kohistani, Indus

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2021)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kohistani, Indus Jesus Film Project
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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