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.
The Hindu Iraqi Kalwar people live in the northern and eastern sections of India. A smaller number live in Nepal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 | 79,000 |
Population all Countries | 80,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 21148 |
ROP3 Code | 117971 |
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 |
Uttar Pradesh 30,000 | |
Bihar 24,000 | |
Chhattisgarh 11,000 | |
Jharkhand 9,400 | |
Madhya Pradesh 3,200 | |
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 | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (41,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 15 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 12,000 | |
Chhattisgarhi 6,200 | |
Maithili 2,600 | |
Magahi 1,200 | |
Bengali 900 | |
Awadhi 300 | |
Odia 200 | |
Angika 100 | |
Telugu 100 | |
Urdu 100 | |
Kanauji 70 | |
Garhwali 60 | |
Sadri 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 (1835-2022) |
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 |
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. |