Bakkarwal in India

People Name:	Bakkarwal
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	132,000
World Population:	132,000
Primary Language:	Gujari
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.05 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Tribal - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction

It is thought that Bakkarwal is derived from the word bakriwale, meaning goat herders, or goat and sheep producers. They have permanent homes but move from one altitude to another in search of green pasture for their goats and sheep. The identification marker of the Bakarwal males is their turban, called dastar. The women, too, wear a special cap, called the topi. They bury their dead, and perform special ceremonies on the fourth and fortieth days after death. They belong to the Sunni sect of Islam. Their literacy level is very low.

Ministry Obstacles

The Bakkawal people are said to have a very low literacy rate, and they live in an area that has little access to the good news of Christ. Jammu and Kashmir has been the scene of much fighting between the government of India and Muslim separatists.

Outreach Ideas

Please pray for Gospel radio to become available in the mountains and valleys of Kashmir, in the languages of the people.

Pray for the Followers of Christ

Even though there is probably not a single Christian believer today among the Bakkarwal people, please pray for a church planting movement to soon begin within this people group. The Lord is able to do this.

Pray for the Entire People Group

Pray for a rising literacy rate among this pastoral group. Pray that parents will desire to provide schooling for their children and will find ways to accomplish this.