Dandasi in India

Dandasi
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Dandasi
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 81,000
World Population: 81,000
Primary Language: Odia
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.85 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Dalit - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The 89,000 Dandasi people live mainly in India's Orissa state. Thus, they speak the state language of Oriya. Traditionally they have been village watchmen who carried sticks and swords to protect the village. The name Dandasi means, "worthy of punishment." Today most of them no longer work in this occupation; instead they are usually either agricultural or industrial laborers. As a general rule, their wives work at home, but those who do agricultural work rely on their wives for some of the labor—collecting firewood and taking care of livestock.

The Dandasi people practice cross-cousin marriages that are arranged through family negotiations. The wedding ceremony takes place at the bride's home, but it is consummated at the groom's home.

What Are Their Beliefs?

This is a Hindu people group that worships many Hindu gods along with local deities. They believe in supernatural elements and ancestral spirits that they hope will benefit them.

What Are Their Needs?

They would like to have formal education for their children, but they have few educational opportunities due to their poor economic situation. Thus they have a low literacy rate. Unfortunately, they are dependent on money-lenders which puts them in a vulnerable situation economically. Money lenders in India are noted for charging usury.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Dandasi people will take the initiative to seek and find Christ, the only one who can give them life to the full. Pray that many of their headmen and community leaders will put their trust in Jesus.

Text Source:   Global Prayer Digest