Gawli in India

Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Gawli
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 21,000
World Population: 21,000
Primary Language: Marathi
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Gawli (AKA Gavli) are a subcaste of the prestigious Yadav community. Yadavs claim to be descendants of the Hindu god Krishna because of their mutual connection with the dairy industry. Though they are herders, their connection with milk and a sacred animal gives them more prestige than common farmers.

The Gawli live mainly in northern Karnataka.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The daily life of a Gawli involves the common jobs of herding and milking cattle. Like other Yadav groups, the Gawli have their organizations that are intended to help their interests. They are very political.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gawli people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples 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 like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless this community economically and spiritually.

Ask God to raise up Gawli who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay on the broad road.

Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Gawli in the near future.

Pray the Gawli would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.

Pray for many of them to make disciples who will make even more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project