Koli of Sind (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

The Koli of Sind (Muslim traditions) have only been reported 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

Little is known about the history of the Koli people, and there is conflicting information about their origins. There are several Koli subgroups. After the Partition of 1947, many Muslim Koli left India for Pakistan and Hindu Koli left Pakistan for India.
The Koli people of Pakistan speak the Sindhi language. A complete Bible and the JESUS film are available in Sindhi, the main language of the Koli. Many rural Koli are unable to read and write so the gospel will need to be presented to them in oral and visual forms.


Where Are they Located?

The Koli people live in the Sindh province of southeast Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The traditional occupation of the coastal Koli is fishing, although many are now employed in schools and government offices. Other Koli people work in agriculture. As landless sharecroppers, they raise cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, corn, and oil seeds. The biggest problem for the farmers is the control of the water supply. There is little rain in many areas where the Koli live so there crops need irrigated water. The Koli tribes living in the eastern portion of the Thar Desert raise goats, sheep, cattle, and camels. Camels are their main type of transportation. Life is hard for the Thar Koli people, especially the women who must collect firewood and clean water each day.

Koli people exhibit a vivid array of colors in their paintings and other artistic designs. Some live in simple houses with thatched roofs, mud walls, and dirt floors; others live in decorative homes with tiled roofs, brick walls, and paved or cement floors.

Most of the Koli people live in poverty. Their social status is considered low, but not "impure." Their spiritual poverty is most desperate.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sindh Koli people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. 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. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols.

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. There are currently no known believers among the Koli.


What Are Their Needs?

Many Koli do not have access to clean water. Most do not enjoy the benefits of modern medicine. Their children need schools to learn how to read and write. Most of all, the Koli need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. Isa is the living, spiritual water come down from heaven.


Prayer Points

Pray for workers needed to sow God's Word into Sindh Koli families, healing and strengthening households with God's blessings.
Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His gospel among the Koli.
Pray that many of the Koli people will come to love God with their whole being and will walk in His ways.


Scripture Prayers for the Koli of Sind (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19451/PK
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17210/PK
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17595/PK


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Koli of Sind (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Koli of Sind (Muslim traditions)
Population this Country 29,000
Population all Countries 29,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names कोली ऑफ सिंड (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
People ID 19451
ROP3 Code 115599
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 on file 2
Largest States
Sindh
28,000
Islamabad
200
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 2
  Sindh 28,000
  Islamabad 200
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Urdu
2,000
Dhatki
1,200
Koli, Parkari
400
Koli, Kachi
400
Koli, Wadiyari
300
Saraiki
200
Gurgula
100
Marwari
100
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Urdu 2,000
  Dhatki 1,200
  Koli, Parkari 400
  Koli, Kachi 400
  Koli, Wadiyari 300
  Saraiki 200
  Gurgula 100
  Marwari 100
People Groups Speaking Sindhi
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