Tamboli (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Tamboli are a people of South Asia traditionally associated with the production and distribution of the betel leaf and areca nut. Millions of people of South Asia and the Pacific chew areca or betel nut as a mild stimulant much like Westerners drink coffee or tea. In fact, the name Tamboli comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "betel leaf." Most Tamboli speak Hindi and another regional language. Many resources are available in Hindi including a complete Bible, the JESUS Film and radio programs.
Though the vast majority of Hindu Tamboli are in India, a smaller number of Tamboli lives in Pakistan and other parts of South Asia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Entire Tamboli families work in the betel nut industry. Children often quit school at the age of nine or ten to help their family business. Women and girls frequently have only minimal level of education. The betel vine must have moist, fertilized soil or the plant will not flourish. Chewing betel leaves is a common practice in social occasions in South Asia.
Thought betel nut has been their traditional work, some urban Tamboli haven obtained college educations and work in government jobs and in medicine and engineering.
The Tamboli are usually monogamous, which means being married to one person. They marry within their community. Only males can inherit property. A council of elder men rules and dispenses justice within a Tamboli village.
The Tamboli eat fish, chicken, mutton but refrain from beef and pork. Most of their diet consists of rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables, dairy products, and fruit.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tamboli are Hindus. They worship gods and goddesses like Krishna, Shiva, Rama, Ganesh, Lakshmi, and Hanuman. 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 as Christians do. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
The Tamboli observe the main Hindu holidays of Holi and Diwali. Some Tamboli cremate their dead while others bury the dead. Rural Tamboli will probably seek the help of a shaman for their health problems before visiting a modern medical professional.


What Are Their Needs?

Long term chewing of betel nut and leaf is destructive to one's health. The side effects include cancers of the mouth and esophagus, kidney, liver and heart disease and psychiatric disorders. The Tamboli need other business opportunities and job skills. Most of all, the Tamboli need to hear and understand the good news about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that Pakistani believers would reach out and befriend the Tamboli.
Pray that God would lead loving workers to help them in their business, health, educational, and spiritual needs.
Pray the Tamboli would develop a hunger for the gospel and word of God.
Pray that the Lord would lead the Tamboli to obtain and read the Bibles that are currently available.


Scripture Prayers for the Tamboli (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tamboli (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tamboli (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAHM-boh-lee
Alternate Names Badi; Barae; Barai; Baran; Bari; Barui; Buro; Chourasia; Gurav; Gurov; Gurrat; Jamboli; Kumawat; Pandaram; Panwari; Phulari; Shiva Brahman; Shiva Brahmin; Tambala; Tambat; Tambiran; Tambli; Tamboli; Tambuli; Tamdi; Tamil Jain; Tamkhera; Tamli; Tamliwandlu; Tammali; Tamoli; Tamuli; Taoli; Twasha Kambli; Twasha Kasar; तंबोली (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 8,100
Population all Countries 2,547,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18210
ROP3 Code 113730
ROP25 Code 307909
ROP25 Name Tamboli / Tambuli
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 8,100
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 (6,400 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Marwari (Pakistan)
1,700
Primary Language Saraiki (6,400 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Marwari (Pakistan) 1,700
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024