Introduction / History

The Dhor are a community of tanners. Thus, their name came from dhor, the word for "cattle." They consider themselves to be equal to the much more numerous Chamar, India's most noted leather workers. Any caste that works with "dead" material has low status in Hindu cultures.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Though they have always been tanners, commonly Dhor become day laborers when leather and other necessary raw materials are not available. Typically, they buy raw leather hides from slaughterhouses that they tan and sell to those who make shoes. The more fortunate among these people of low status take advantage of India's "reservation" system, which allows them to become white-collar workers, doctors, teachers or engineers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Dhor people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all term for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

What Are Their Needs?

There is a very small number of Christ followers among the Dhor, so they will need to hear the gospel from outsiders.

Prayer Items

They speak Marathi, the language of Maharashtra, and there are many Christian materials in this language. Pray for these materials to find their way into Dhor homes.
Pray for believers in Mumbai to reach out to the Dhor and persevere until there is a strong Dhor church.
Pray for Dhor family leaders to have the spiritual hunger it takes to embrace Christ no matter what the social cost.

References

Scripture Prayers for the Dhor in India.