Introduction / History

The Bokar are an indigenous people who live in the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Roughly half of the population lives in China on the other side of the border. The Bokar speak Adi.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The people of their area depend on agricultural production and animal husbandry for a living. Culturally the Bokar people are rich in their art, dances and music. Other peoples, even in Arunachal Pradesh, do not know about the Bokar tribe because they live in such an isolated region. Some of the Bokar are dependent on government programs to feed their families. The Bokar celebrate the Podi-Barbi festival every year on December 5. According to the legend, "Podi-Barbi" means a small cricket-like migratory insect which makes a tweeting sound and migrates from far-flung places and arrives at the time of harvesting season in the region. Since the people did not use any calendar by which they could know the exact time of harvesting, they took the arrival of this small insect as their calendar. The festival is celebrated in the harvest season when the insect arrives at the region. It is celebrated to welcome the harvesting season and to extend thankfulness to Mother Nature for a good harvest in the current year. They take the opportunity at this festival to pray for a sufficient growth of crops in the coming years and for ample hunting of wild animals. During this day men and women wear traditional attire. The sacrifice of domestic animals during the festival is another feature of the celebration and the ritual is performed by a local priest.

What Are Their Beliefs?

On the Indian side of the border, the Bokar people are over about two-thirds Christian, but on China's side, they remain an unreached people group. Smaller groups of Bokar are Hindu, Buddhist or practice folk religion.

What Are Their Needs?

A complete Adi Bible became available in 2009. Many of the Bokar are functionally illiterate so they will have to learn to read if they are to be able to read the Bible for themselves. Meanwhile recorded gospel materials would be in order.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send Indian Bokar believers to China to tell the Bokar across the border about Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement that will bless the Bokar people.
Ask the Lord to raise up trained pastors among the Bokar who can teach them the Word of God.

Scripture Prayers for the Bokar in India.