Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions) 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 Bharbhunja have their name from their traditional occupation of roasting grains. "Bharbhunja" means frying pan or one who roasts grain in Sanskrit. Some Bharbhunja claim they are descendants of Brahmin or Kshatriya, the two highest castes of Hinduism but other castes place them in the fourth or lowest caste. At one time all Bharbhunja were Hindus. However, with the coming of Muslim rulers to north India, some Bharbhunja converted to Islam.

The Bharbhunja buy grain from other agricultural castes, then roast or parch it to sell this grain to others. The parched grain can serve as a snack or as food for travelers or soldiers. The roasted grain is lighter in weight and lasts longer than uncooked grain.

Besides roasting grain, the Bharbhunja own roadside restaurants, work as laborers and run small businesses. Some Bharbhunja have taken advantage of the Indian educational system and become professionals, doctors, teachers and engineers.

The primary language of the Muslim Bharbhunja of India is Urdu. Since Urdu and Hindi are mutually intelligible, they are able to communicate with most peoples of north India.


Where Are they Located?

The vast majority of the Muslim Bharbhunja live in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Smaller numbers live in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. There is a population of Muslim Bharbhunja who live in south Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Bharbhunja depend on their level of education. Most still live in rural areas where modern conveniences do not exist. Electricity, indoor plumbing and access to clean water are the exceptions not the rule. Children often work along side their parents and receive only a minimal education

The Bharbhunja practice clan exogamy that is they marry within their caste but not within their family or clan. Parents arrange marriages. Muslim imams perform the weddings and other important life rituals. Sons inherit property from their parents. Child marriage was previously common but this custom has been largely replaced by adult marriage.

Muslim Bharbhunja are not vegetarians. They do refrain from eating pork. Their diet consists mainly of rice, wheat, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bharbhunja people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They attempt to obey the teachings of the Qur 'an and the prophet Muhammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Muslim Bharbhunja people need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to realize that Allah and Islam will never satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts or forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord sends Christian workers to the Muslim Bharbhunja who will show them the love and mercy of Christ.
Pray that Indian Christians would reach out to the Bharbhunja with the gospel.
Pray that the Lord wins some Muslim Bharbhunja to Himself and that Bible-believing churches begin among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions) in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharbhunja
peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/bharbhunja/


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation bar-BOON-jah
Alternate Names भरभूंजा (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 76,000
Population all Countries 82,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 16413
ROP3 Code 111564
ROP25 Code 301133
ROP25 Name Bharabhunja
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
Uttar Pradesh
67,000
Madhya Pradesh
5,300
Uttarakhand
3,700
Gujarat
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
  Uttar Pradesh 67,000
  Madhya Pradesh 5,300
  Uttarakhand 3,700
  Gujarat 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Urdu (63,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Awadhi
500
Bundeli
400
Garhwali
300
Gujarati
90
Primary Language Urdu (63,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Awadhi 500
  Bundeli 400
  Garhwali 300
  Gujarati 90
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1747-1894)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1758-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
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Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Urdu Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
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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