Introduction / History

Any people with the name "Dhed" as part of it eat carcasses. They are notified when an animal dies, at which time they make a meal of the meat. They even eat buffalo, which is considered to be beef by most Hindus. Despite this stark lowest of the low characteristic, some of them are regarded as gurus by members of other scheduled castes. Such people are given high honor and money, though they are few in number. Most Bawa Dhed people work as unskilled laborers. Unfortunately, child labor is very common among them.

This people group lives in India's western Gujarat state, and they speak the Gujarati language. A smaller number live in Pakistan’s Sindh Province.

What Are Their Lives Like?

More Bawa Dhed children are attending school than in previous generations. They are also taking advantage of modern conveniences like mass media, roads and electricity.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bawa 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 intermingle with other Hindu peoples at shrines and festivals.

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?

The Bawa people, be they in India or Pakistan, need the chance to be blessed by the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives. As it stands, they have few chances to hear that he offers life to the full.

Prayer Points

Pray that Christian Gujarati language resources will become common in Bawa Dhed households. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give them a desire for spiritual transformation that will be satisfied by submission to Jesus Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Bawa in India.

References

Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)