Subgroups: 2
Subgroup Name | Population ▼ | |
---|---|---|
Naik | 2,000 | |
Voya | 2,000 |
The Targala (or Bhoviya) claim they are the descendants of an ex-communicated Brahmin community. They have three subgroups, the Nayak, Bhojak (or Bhojai) and Voyas. These names are also used as surnames. Each subgroup is divided into a number of clans named after their ancestral homes.
They allow for inter-subgroup marriages, but they strictly adhere to community endogamy (marrying only within the caste). Vermilion, bracelets and toe-rings are symbols of marriage for women. They are Hindu, and their community goddess is Bahucharamata or Ambamata. They worship Bhubaneswari and Suleswari or Sulgamata as village deities. Traditionally, they accept food and water from higher castes such as the Brahmin and Kshatriya, but not from the lower castes.
The Targala people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. 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 or Jews. 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 Targala people need a John 10:10 blessing: the abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.
Please pray for believers in the state of Gujarat, that they will live holy lives, honoring the Lord and being zealous in their service to him. Pray they will be protected from those who would harm them and their witness.
Pray the government of Gujarat will actively work to protect all religious minorities.
There are Christian believers in Gujarat, in other people groups. Pray these believers will develop a heart to take the message of Jesus throughout their state.
Scripture Prayers for the Targala in India.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Targala |
People Name in Country | Targala |
Alternate Names | Bhavaiya; Bhavaya; Bhayiya; Bhojak; Bhojja; Bhoviya; Nayak; टरगला (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 43,000 |
Population all Countries | 43,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18220 |
ROP3 Code | 113746 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Targala |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Targala |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 2 |
Naik 2,000 | |
Voya 2,000 |
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 | 5 | ||||||
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 | 5 |
Gujarat 39,000 | |
Maharashtra 2,900 | |
Karnataka 100 | |
Dadra and Nagar Have 60 | |
Daman and Diu 20 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.05 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.95 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Gujarati (34,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | guj Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 5 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Gujarati (34,000 speakers) |
Language Code | guj Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 5 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi 1,500 | |
Konkani 300 | |
Koli, Wadiyari 60 | |
Kannada 30 | |
People Groups | Speaking Gujarati |
Primary Language: Gujarati
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1809-1965) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1820-1985) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1823-2021) |
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) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |