Parhaiya in Bangladesh

People Name:	Parhaiya
Country:	Bangladesh
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	6,500
World Population:	42,500
Primary Language:	Sylheti
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	1.76 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Tribal - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The name Parahiya literally means "the burners of the forest" or "hill dweller." The Parahiya tribe live in the Sonbhadra District of the Uttar Pradesh in northern India. The area they live in is mostly hilly and isolated from other settlements. A smaller number live further east in Bangladesh where they speak the Sylheti language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally the Parahiya people relied on the forest for their sustenance. With so little open forest land in Bangladesh, they are in serious economic trouble.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Parahiya 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?

They need to find a better way to make a living. This will involve getting higher education.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Parhaiya culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among their family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a Disciple Making Movement among the Parhaiya people.
Pray that soon the Parhaiya people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.
Pray that their interactions in marketplaces will lead them to Christ and thereby salvation.