Kusta in India

The Kusta 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.

Introduction / History

Traditionally the Kusta people were silk weavers. They have oral traditions and stories about their migration and their jobs as weavers.


Where Are they Located?

The Kusta are a small Hindu group living in Odisha, a state in eastern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though many Kusta people are still weavers, some have prosperous businesses where they purchase silk and use it to make clothes that they sell in the market. Surprisingly, these creative people do not have their own dance traditions. They do not marry outside their caste.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kusta people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon, especially Shiva, Narayana, and Laxmi, the latter being a goddess of prosperity. They also worship local and regional deities. The Kusta people take part in Hindu festivals, but these often have economic importance


What Are Their Needs?

Like other Hindu communities in Odisha, the Kusta people need the chance to be blessed by the powerful love and saving grace of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Kusta culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Kusta family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Kusta people.
Pray that soon the Kusta people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Kusta in India.


References

People of India, Odisha, vol. XVI, K.S. Singh


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kusta
People Name in Country Kusta
Population this Country 3,400
Population all Countries 3,400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names Debangan; कुसता
People ID 17342
ROP3 Code 112725
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)
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 1
  Odisha 3,400
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (3,400 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Odia (3,400 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Odia
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more