Gadaba in India

The Gadaba 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.

Subgroups: 10

Subgroup Name Population
Parenga 14,000
Olari 12,000
Bodo 9,400
Kathiri 8,800
Jurunu 7,000
Kalaya 7,000
Kapu 7,000
Thundam 2,100
Kulodondia 500
Godo 200

Introduction / History

The Munda-Santal tribes of northeastern India and Nepal are comprised of nine different, but very closely related people groups. The seven groups who occupy territory farther north include the Santal (of India and Nepal), the Bhumij, the Koda, the Mahili, the Ho, and the Agariya. The two remaining groups, the Juang and the Gadaba, are located to the south, nearer to the coast of the Bay of Bengal. What can be said of the Gadaba people can probably also be said about the others. Tribal culture among the Gadaba is quickly changing under the impact of external influences such as industrialization, new communication links, government directed tribal welfare schemes, and community development projects. Traditions regarding the origin of the Munda-Santal tribes are uncertain; but originally, the forested area of Chotanagpur was ruled by chiefs of various tribes. Gradually, the British established their authority.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, the government is trying to preserve forests, so cultivation shifting is limited. There is also an increase in the amount of irrigated land. As a result, they are developing other sources of income. They include such jobs as working in the tea plantations of the northeast, working in the steel industry, or working as day laborers for local Hindu landowners. Since the Chotanagpur Plateau is the richest mineral belt in India, some earn wages by mining. Both men and women work to bring home adequate income for their families. Although very few of the tribes live by trade, some have traditional artisan or specialist occupations. Two such groups are the Koda, who are ditch diggers, and the Gadaba, who are known for their wall-paintings. The Gadaba are also noted for the dyed clothes worn by the women. They wear red, white and blue striped garments, dyed with natural materials. The weekly market plays an important part in the economy of these tribes. Most of the people live in clustered villages or villages with one street. Like other tribes in the Munda-Santal cluster, the Gadaba are divided into clans which recognize a common ancestor. Clan members often marry those from other tribes; however, there are smaller sub-tribes who are permitted to marry only those within their group. There is also a bachelor's dormitory.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Like other Munda-Santal tribes, the Gadaba tend to preserve their own beliefs, values, and separate identity. Most are Hindus who also practice ethnic religions. Their supreme god is the sun god. However, they have also adopted the Hindu deities in addition to tribal gods and goddesses. The Hindu village priest is the ritual specialist, and they observe many Hindu festivals. They do have a firm belief in an almighty creator and also in "mother earth. "


What Are Their Needs?

When the gospel is preached, the Gadaba listen and often respond. There is a need for workers to go to them and the other Munda-Santal tribes.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will send culturally sensitive workers who will show the Gadaba people the way to the cross. Pray for a flourishing movement to Christ among them starting in the 2020s. Pray for the Gadaba people to be blessed with peace, joy and spiritual prosperity as they follow Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Gadaba in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Gadaba
People Name in Country Gadaba
Alternate Names Gadaba-Cerilam; Gadaba-Franji; Gadaba-Jodia; Gadaba-Olaro; Gadaba-Pangi; Gadaba-Pranga; Gadabasboda; Gitadim; Gutomi; Modililu; Mogililu; गड़बा
Population this Country 158,000
Population all Countries 158,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 16769
ROP3 Code 112022
ROP25 Code 302480
ROP25 Name Gadaba
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Tribal - other
People Group Gadaba
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 10
  Parenga 14,000
  Olari 12,000
  Bodo 9,400
  Kathiri 8,800
  Jurunu 7,000
  Kalaya 7,000
  Kapu 7,000
  Thundam 2,100
  Kulodondia 500
  Godo 200
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 9
Largest States
Odisha
102,000
Andhra Pradesh
45,000
Chhattisgarh
9,400
Maharashtra
900
Madhya Pradesh
800
Telangana
300
Delhi
100
Karnataka
90
Puducherry
80
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 9
  Odisha 102,000
  Andhra Pradesh 45,000
  Chhattisgarh 9,400
  Maharashtra 900
  Madhya Pradesh 800
  Telangana 300
  Delhi 100
  Karnataka 90
  Puducherry 80
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
1.63 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.03 %
Islam
0.14 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.17 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Telugu (26,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 46
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Gadaba, Pottangi Ollar
25,000
Bhatri
22,000
Odia
22,000
Gadaba, Mudhili
11,000
Hindi
8,800
Pengo
7,200
Chhattisgarhi
2,200
Kuvi
1,700
Gadaba, Bodo
1,400
Koya
1,400
Desiya
1,400
Kui
1,200
Halbi
900
Oriya, Adivasi
500
Duruwa
500
Primary Language Telugu (26,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 46
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Gadaba, Pottangi Ollar 25,000
  Bhatri 22,000
  Odia 22,000
  Gadaba, Mudhili 11,000
  Hindi 8,800
  Pengo 7,200
  Chhattisgarhi 2,200
  Kuvi 1,700
  Gadaba, Bodo 1,400
  Koya 1,400
  Desiya 1,400
  Kui 1,200
  Halbi 900
  Oriya, Adivasi 500
  Duruwa 500
People Groups Speaking Telugu

Primary Language:  Telugu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2022)
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Photo Source PICQ - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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