The Barwala are considered to be from a low caste, meaning that they have very little influence or power. Traditionally they worked as village watchmen and messengers, overseeing the work of coolies, bearing torches, and carrying palanquins at weddings. Others manufactured mats and winnowing fans. By the beginning of the 20th century, many were agricultural laborers working for the more prestigious Rajputs.
Most of the Muslim Barwala people live in rural areas. They live in the Sialkot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Others live further north in Pakistan's portion of Jammu and Kashmir. There are a few Muslim Barwala people in India.
Today most of them are engaged in agriculture or as unskilled laborers. The Barwalas live mainly in nuclear households. The oldest son becomes the head of the household after the father dies. They allow for divorce and remarriage. There are 12 major Barwala clans in Pakistan.
Though they adhere to the basic tenets of Islam, the Barwala people are adversely affected by the caste system which influences people in almost all of South Asia. They still give their allegiance to Allah, but they live under many beliefs that trace back to caste, not the Koran.
The Barwala people need the opportunity to make a better living. They also need to understand that though they are from a low status community, that the God of creation gives them dignity and value.
Pray that the Barwala peoples will have an intense hunger for spiritual truth that will lead them to Jesus Christ.
Pray that the Lord will thrust out workers to the Barwala people. Pray that these workers will be equipped with the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Pray for the Lord to pave the way for a disciple-making movement to flourish among the Barwala people of India.
Scripture Prayers for the Barwala (Muslim traditions) in India.
https://newpakhistorian.wordpress.com/tag/barwala-caste-of-pakistan/
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Barwala (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Barwala (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation | bar-VAH-lah |
Alternate Names | Barwar; बरवाला (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 1,800 |
Population all Countries | 618,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17485 |
ROP3 Code | 112898 |
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 |
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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 |
Jammu and Kashmir 900 | |
Punjab 800 | |
Uttar Pradesh 50 | |
Chandigarh 20 | |
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 (500 speakers) | |||
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Urdu (500 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Punjabi, Eastern 500 | |
Kashmiri 300 | |
Dogri 200 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Naveed Akhtar |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |