According to their own legends, the Bawaria people of India and Pakistan were once part of the powerful Hindu Rajput caste. During a fight between the Mughals and the Rajputs, a Bawaria individual foolishly polluted the bauli, a street food made from an egg with cow's blood, which prevented the Rajputs from bringing their dead soldiers back from battlegrounds. When the Rajputs were defeated, the Bawari were exiled to the jungle to spend their days eking out an existence by hunting and gathering. Worse yet, they were now outcastes, a huge step down from their former Hindu caste status. They still consider themselves to be Rajputs, but other communities would not agree, though they have higher status than most outcastes or Dalits.
Bawaria were known to use a noose for hunting, so their name is derived from a word for noose. Some of them still make ropes, but they are much more likely to be farmers.
The Bawaria of Pakistan speak Saraiki in their families. Men frequently can speak Urdu so they are able to communicate with outsiders.
Most of them live in the Indian states of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Delhi. There is a much smaller number in neighboring Pakistan.
Most Bawaria now work in agriculture. They often labor on land owned by others. They grow rice, wheat, lentils, maize, fruits, and vegetables. The Bawaria were formerly known as rope makers. With the rise of large factories that make rope on an industrial scale, the Bawaria have had to find new ways to make a living. Although the Hindu caste system has been officially outlawed by the Indian and Pakistani government, it still has a powerful influence, especially in rural areas. Dalit groups like the Bawaria are denied jobs, educational opportunities and housing based on their low status.
Bawaria are monogamous, with one man marrying one woman. The Bawaria marry within their group. Families often arrange marriages when the young people are children. Lack of literacy is an issue for the Bawaria, particularly for women. Children tend to quit school early in order to help their families earn a living. Modern medicine is often not available in the places where the Bawaria live. As a result, many Bawaria children die young and life expectancy is low. The Bawaria tend to have large families. It is the sons' responsibility to take care of elderly parents and grandparents. Three or more generations frequently live under one roof.
The Bawaria of Pakistan are Hindus. Hinduism is the ancient religion of South Asia. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase 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. 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.
The Bawaria would benefit by having good schools and access to modern medicine and clean water. The Bawaria, most of all, need to hear and understand the good news about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them abundant life.
Ask the Lord to send loving workers to the Bawaria of Pakistan.
Pray that Bawaria parents would be able to provide for the children.
Pray that the literacy level of the Bawaria would increase and that they would be able read the Bible portions available in Saraiki.
Pray that the Lord raises up a growing church among the Bawaria of Pakistan in this decade.
Scripture Prayers for the Bawaria (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bawaria (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Bawaria (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | bah-wah-ree-AH |
Alternate Names | Babri; Bauria; Bawari; Bawariya; Bhatti; Naribut; बावारिया (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 1,900 |
Population all Countries | 197,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 16346 |
ROP3 Code | 111483 |
Country | Pakistan | ||
Region | Asia, South | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Pakistan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 1 |
Punjab 1,800 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Pakistan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Saraiki (1,700 speakers) | |||
Language Code | skr Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Saraiki (1,700 speakers) |
Language Code | skr Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Marwari 200 | |
Punjabi, Western 30 | |
People Groups | Speaking Saraiki |
Primary Language: Saraiki
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1888-2009) |
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 |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Saraiki | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Biblical answers to your questions | Got Questions Ministry |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Saraiki | Literacy & Evangelism International |