Jalia Kaibartta in India


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

Introduction / History

The Jalia Kaibarta are an indigenous Hindu people who live in northeast India and the nation of Bangladesh. Their name means "one who depends on the water" in the ancient language of Sanskrit. The Kaila traditionally made their living by fishing and boating. They fish in the freshwater rivers and lakes of the Bengal region and in the saltwater of the Bay of Bengal. Today many Jalia also work as cultivators of the soil on land owned by higher castes. For the most part the Jalia are a scheduled tribe meaning that they are eligible for public jobs and special consideration for places in Indian universities. One group within Kalia are Vaishyas, the merchant caste, and are not a classified as a scheduled tribe. The main language of the Jalia is Bengali. A newly edited complete Bengali Bible became available in 2016. Unfortunately, many Jalia are illiterate and the gospel will need to be shared with them in oral and visual forms. Every day there are Christian radio programs available in Bengali.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Jalia men are still fishermen although some work in farming and as daily laborers. Women work at home taking care of domestic responsibilities and raising their children. Some women labor in the fields with their husbands. The Jalia experience discrimination as an indigenous group. They are a low class community, outside the four main castes of the Hindu systems. The educational level of the Jalia is improving. Educated Jalia now work as teachers and administrators. The Jalia marry within their group. Families arrange marriages often when the young people are adolescents. Newly married couples live with or near the groom's parents. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father. Jalia cremate their dead. Caste councils settle legal disputes and promote Jalia interests. Fish, rice, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products make up their diets.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jalia pay special devotion to the Hindu Goddess Vasuli Devi. The Jalia show their homage to her every April in a ceremonial dance. Vasuli Devi is a manifestation of the great Mother Goddess. Underneath the veneer of Hinduism, the Kaibartta also believe in the existence of natural spirits, and therefore, are considered by some to be animists. Village elders and priest serve as leaders at important family ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Jalia visit Hindu shrines 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. The yearly holidays of the Jalia people are 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.


What Are Their Needs?

Adult Jalia would benefit from learning new job skills. Their children need good schools and teachers so that they will be able to read and write and improve their place in Indian society. Most of all the Jalia need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and delivery them from their fear of evil spirits.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Jalia would be led to tune in on Christian Bengali radio broadcasts and be open to the messages they hear. Pray the Bengali Bibles would get to the Jalia who are hungry for the Word of God. Pray the Lord brings whole Jalia villages and families to Himself. Pray the Lord sends workers to the Jalia to tell them about the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Kaibartta Jalia in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kaibartta Jalia
People Name in Country Kaibartta Jalia
Natural Name Jalia Kaibartta
Alternate Names कैबरतता जलिया
Population this Country 540,000
Population all Countries 793,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 11
People ID 21146
ROP3 Code 116134
ROP25 Code 303313
ROP25 Name Jalia Kaibarta
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 11
Largest States
West Bengal
307,000
Assam
142,000
Bihar
64,000
Odisha
16,000
Jharkhand
5,800
Tripura
3,500
Andaman and Nicobar
1,100
Delhi
1,000
Nagaland
900
Arunachal Pradesh
300
Meghalaya
70
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 11
  West Bengal 307,000
  Assam 142,000
  Bihar 64,000
  Odisha 16,000
  Jharkhand 5,800
  Tripura 3,500
  Andaman and Nicobar 1,100
  Delhi 1,000
  Nagaland 900
  Arunachal Pradesh 300
  Meghalaya 70
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.04 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.95 %
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 Bengali (278,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Assamese
95,000
Hindi
47,000
Maithili
25,000
Odia
10,000
Magahi
700
Angika
50
Primary Language Bengali (278,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Assamese 95,000
  Hindi 47,000
  Maithili 25,000
  Odia 10,000
  Magahi 700
  Angika 50
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Prateek Pattanaik - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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