Kalwar Iraqi (Hindu traditions) in India

The Kalwar Iraqi (Hindu traditions) have only been reported 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 Kalwars were traditionally distillers and sellers of alcohol in north and central India. Their name comes from the Sanskrit word for "distiller of liquor." Since this profession was considered demeaning by most castes in Indian society, many Kalwars around the year 1900 began to leave their original trade for other careers. Although some of the Kalwars still are in the liquor business, most have taken jobs in agriculture, business, military and government service.

The Kalwar speak the primary languages of the states where they live including Hindi, Bengali and Magahi. In some of the Indian states where the Kalwar live, they are given the status of being a Scheduled Caste, meaning they get public jobs and special access to university admissions.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Iraqi Kalwar people live in the northern and eastern sections of India. A smaller number live in Nepal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kalwars are not vegetarians but they will not eat beef or pork. Rice and wheat are their staples along with vegetables, fruit and dairy products.

The Hindu Iraqi Kalwars are endogamous, that is they do not marry outsiders. Marriage outside of the immediate clan is permitted. Families arrange marriages that are officiated by a Brahmin priest. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's family.

Monogamy (marriage to one spouse) and adult marriage are the general rule. Most Kalwars live in extended families. Sons inherit property with the oldest son receiving the family house and father's authority. Alcoholism is a problem among the Kalwars.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hindu Iraqi Kalwars worship the deities of the Hindu pantheon, especially Vishnu, the preserver god and his consort Lakshmi. They also worship two of Vishnu's incarnations, Rama and Krishna.

A priest from their own community performs ceremonies that cure diseases and protect against evil spirits. They cremate their dead and scatter the ashes in a river, preferably the holy Ganges.

The Hindu Kalwar participate in Hindu holidays like Holi, the festival of colors, Navratri, celebration of nine nights, Ramnavmi, the birthday of Rama and Janamashtami, the birthday of Krishna.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hindu Iraqi Kalwar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ who died for their sins. They need to see Biblical Christianity lived out in the lives of true believers. They need to have the opportunity to join Bible-believing churches in their languages.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord would send Indian believers to befriend and work with Kalwar communities.
Pray that each Hindu Kalwar would have the opportunity to hear the gospel in an understandable way.
Pray the Lord would win Hindu Iraqi Kalwar families to Himself and begin Bible believing fellowships in their midst.


Scripture Prayers for the Kalwar Iraqi (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

http://www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/kalwar/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalwar_(caste)


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kalwar Iraqi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Kalwar Iraqi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation KAHL-wahr
Alternate Names Rahki; Ranki; कलवार इराक़ी (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 78,000
Population all Countries 78,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 21148
ROP3 Code 117971
ROP25 Code 303563
ROP25 Name Kalwar Iraqi
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
Uttar Pradesh
30,000
Bihar
24,000
Chhattisgarh
11,000
Jharkhand
9,600
Madhya Pradesh
3,300
Odisha
400
Uttarakhand
400
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
  Uttar Pradesh 30,000
  Bihar 24,000
  Chhattisgarh 11,000
  Jharkhand 9,600
  Madhya Pradesh 3,300
  Odisha 400
  Uttarakhand 400
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (41,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
12,000
Chhattisgarhi
6,200
Maithili
2,600
Magahi
1,200
Bengali
1,000
Awadhi
300
Odia
200
Angika
100
Telugu
100
Kanauji
70
Sadri
60
Garhwali
60
Bundeli
50
Primary Language Hindi (41,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 12,000
  Chhattisgarhi 6,200
  Maithili 2,600
  Magahi 1,200
  Bengali 1,000
  Awadhi 300
  Odia 200
  Angika 100
  Telugu 100
  Kanauji 70
  Sadri 60
  Garhwali 60
  Bundeli 50
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
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 Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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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
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. Learn more.



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