Yadav (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The Yadav appear to have been one of the immigrant tribes from Central Asia. They are spoken of as robbers and foreigners. They claim connection to the god Krishna, since he was a herdsman.The most common name is Yadav or Yadava.

It's easy to find out who a Yadav is. Just ask them their name and they will tell you their first name followed by their title which is always Yadav.

The Yadav are a caste comprising of dairymen, cattle producers, and laborers. Their traditional occupation is animal husbandry and selling its products. The Yadav consist of both landowning and landless people. Some Yadav are businessmen, teachers, doctors, engineers and political leaders.

Where Are they Located?

They live almost all over India and in southern Nepal. The highest concentration is in the states Uttar Pradesh and Bihar (north India) but also in east, west and south India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yadav live in joint families. Most are vegetarian but many have started eating fish, mutton, chicken and sometimes pork, but not beef. Child labor is common among them.

The Yadav participate in 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. Similarly, they are good in musical dance, wrestling and mock-fighting with swords. Boys are favored for formal education. They are known to have more faith in astrology and talismans rather than in the services of a doctor. They often pray to Singaji for the protection of their cattle from disease and often give thank offerings of butter, unripe mangoes and sugar.

What Are Their Needs?

They are in need to hear about the way of salvation. Most of the Yadav die never hearing the name of Jesus once in a lifetime!

But also life, lifestyle and living standard are changing all over the nation. The next generation will need to get other kinds of jobs. To get those jobs they need education but proper education is missing in many places.

More than 12 million live in Bihar. Every year Bihar knows major floods, killing hundreds of people, leaving millions homeless. They are badly in need of Christian relief workers who can give them more than food, clothes and medicines.

Prayer Points

Pray for the salvation of the Yadav people.
Pray for short and long term workers / teams to come and pioneer new ministries among them.
Pray for new focused evangelism and church planting ministries.
Pray for literacy and community development work.
Pray for the practice of child labor to end.
Pray for education to be made available to girls as well to the boys.

Text Source:   Reach the Yadav