Khairwar in India
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Khairwar |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 498,000 |
| World Population: | 499,300 |
| Primary Language: | Bengali |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.23 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Tribal - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The word "Khairar" relates to the word catechu, an extract of the Acacia tree used variously as a food additive, astringent, tannin, and dye. They have many clans and are classified as a scheduled caste. They do not have high status in Hindu society.
Most of the Khariwar people live in various parts of India, but a small number are in Bangladesh.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Khairwar formerly gathered this extract as their vocation, and today are mostly involved with some aspect of farming. The majority are not landowners, however. They supplement their food source with hunting and fishing. They have not emphasized sending their children to school because of their poor economic situation.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They worship Surya as their family deity, and also worship their ancestors. Kali is their village deity. Regional deities include Durga and Bajrangbali.
What Are Their Needs?
The worldview of Hinduism and animism is very different than that of the Christian Bible. It usually requires much time to understand and process a presentation that is so different than what a person has ever known. Perhaps the Lord will send workers especially skilled at telling stories from scripture. Oral presentations of the gospel are likely to be essential in communicating effectively to people with low literacy levels.
Prayer Points
Pray the Lord will send teachers and shepherds (pastors) to help them become firmly established in the faith. They need our prayer support.
Please pray the Khairwar people will be able to improve their standard of living, with rising literacy rates and better employment opportunities. Pray that some will be able to purchase farmland of their own.