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.

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.

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

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 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.

Scripture Prayers for the Bakkarwal in India.