Damor in India

The Damor have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Damor are a tribal people who live in west central India. Their main occupation is agriculture with some owning their own land and others working as sharecroppers. Sharecroppers rent the land and give a percentage of their crop to the landowner. They also make bamboo items to supplement their incomes. They raise animals for their meat, milk and hides.

Unfortunately, most Damor are unable to read or write. They are classified as a Scheduled Caste meaning they are eligible for special preference in public jobs and education. The Indian government is currently working to educate the Damor.

The primary language of the Damor is Bhili. Many of the men can speak some Hindi so they can communicate with outsiders.


Where Are they Located?

The vast majority of the Damor live in the Indian state of Rajastan. Smaller numbers live in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Damor lives in rural villages like their ancestors with agriculture their means of survival. A village council made up of elders makes the legal and major economic decisions for the people. Most Damor lack the modern conveniences of electricity, access to pure water and indoors plumbing. They will use modern medicine if it is available to them. For most of their pains and illnesses they consult the local shaman.

The Damor marry only within their tribe but will not marry anyone in their clan or gotra. They do not marry cousins. Families arrange marriages. The bride price is paid to her family. The newly married couple lives in a separate house near the groom's parents. The Damor have elaborate ceremonies for important life events such as births, weddings and funerals.

The Damor are not vegetarians but they will not eat beef. Their main foods are rice, wheat, dairy products, vegetables and fruit.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Damor practice Hinduism mixed with folk religion. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their patron god is the Sun god Surya. They also worship Rama, Krishna, and Sarpdevta, the serpent god. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Damor visit Hindu temples and village shrines to offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. They sacrifice goats and chickens to their gods.

The main yearly holidays of the Damor people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Damor need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need help in educating their children and in obtaining the benefits of modern society.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord sends Christians workers to befriend and help the Damor with their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray the whole Bible becomes available in their language and that the Damor are motivated to read it.
Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His Gospel among the Damor.
Pray that the few Damor Christians would grow and share the gospel with their brothers and sisters.


Scripture Prayers for the Damor in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damor
http://alokchantia1.blogspot.com/2009/09/damor-tribe.html


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Damor
People Name in Country Damor
Alternate Names Damaria; Damoria; दामोर
Population this Country 111,000
Population all Countries 111,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 16666
ROP3 Code 111880
ROP25 Code 301930
ROP25 Name Damor
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Rajasthan
109,000
Madhya Pradesh
2,200
Gujarat
600
Chhattisgarh
100
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Rajasthan 109,000
  Madhya Pradesh 2,200
  Gujarat 600
  Chhattisgarh 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.76 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.90 %
Islam
0.29 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.03 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bhili (61,000 speakers)
Language Code bhb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
14,000
Gujarati
8,300
Wagdi
6,800
Mewari
1,900
Punjabi, Eastern
1,100
Marwari
300
Odia
70
Dhundari
60
Chhattisgarhi
40
Marathi
20
Shekhawati Korku
Korwa Kannada Gondi, Northern
Primary Language Bhili (61,000 speakers)
Language Code bhb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 16
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 14,000
  Gujarati 8,300
  Wagdi 6,800
  Mewari 1,900
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,100
  Marwari 300
  Odia 70
  Dhundari 60
  Chhattisgarhi 40
  Marathi 20
  Shekhawati 10
  Korku 10
  Korwa 10
  Kannada 10
  Gondi, Northern 10
People Groups Speaking Bhili

Primary Language:  Bhili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1916-1996)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1930)
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
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bhili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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