According to legend Balija Bolla people are a weaver caste that originated when their god Chamundeshwari threw rice into the sacrificial fire from which a host of warriors sprang out. Rulers appointed Balija families to supervise provinces as Nayaks (governors, commanders). They were known as warrior merchants; powerful and wealthy, who were highly respected. They were primarily tax collectors and merchants.
This Hindu people group is scattered throughout southern India.
Today, Balija people are farmers, traders and craftsmen of bangles, and pearl and coral ornaments. They are one of the most socially and economically backward communities in India. They are scattered, known by different names. Since they admit people of other castes, they are regarded as a mixed community. They have been oppressed for generations.
The Balija Bolla people are Hindu. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods whom they believe will give them favor and protection, much like a business transaction. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.
Although audio, visual, and written Bible resources are available in Telugu, their spoken language, they remain unreached with the truth of the gospel. Their greatest need is to understand the infinite love of Almighty God for them, and His provisional payment of the penalty for their sins. They need to be freed by the Prince of Peace, so they can be free indeed.
Pray for the Balija Bolla 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 Balija Bolla 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 Balija Bolla people.
Pray that soon the Balija Bolla people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.
Scripture Prayers for the Balija Bolla in India.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balija
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Balija Bolla |
People Name in Country | Balija Bolla |
Natural Name | Bolla Balija |
Population this Country | 85,000 |
Population all Countries | 85,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
Alternate Names | Ambiga; Balija Naidu; Bestar; Bholla; Bogam; Bolla; Boya Bestha; Gajula; Gangemakkalu; Gazula; Gazula Balija; Gazut Balija; Gudem Dasari; Kabbera; Kapu; Kasban; Kasbi; Kasbin; Kavarai; Naidu; Parivara; Parivarattar; Siviyar; Telaga; Thogra; Thota Balija; Toraga Balija; Toreyar; Vaidu; Varala; Veerasaiva Lingayat; बलिजा बोल्ला |
People ID | 21090 |
ROP3 Code | 117914 |
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 | 7 | |||||||||
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 | 7 |
Telangana 39,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 26,000 | |
Odisha 8,900 | |
Maharashtra 6,100 | |
Andhra Pradesh 1,800 | |
Chhattisgarh 1,500 | |
Madhya Pradesh 600 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.03 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.97 %
|
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 | Telugu (55,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | tel Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Telugu (55,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tel Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Kannada 8,900 | |
Tamil 7,300 | |
Odia 2,900 | |
People Groups | Speaking Telugu |
Primary Language: Telugu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1812-1966) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1818-1989) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1854-2022) |
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 |