Dandasi in India

The Dandasi have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The 89,000 Dandasi people live mainly in India's Orissa state. Thus, they speak the state language of Oriya. Traditionally they have been village watchmen who carried sticks and swords to protect the village. The name Dandasi means, "worthy of punishment." Today most of them no longer work in this occupation; instead they are usually either agricultural or industrial laborers. As a general rule, their wives work at home, but those who do agricultural work rely on their wives for some of the labor—collecting firewood and taking care of livestock.

The Dandasi people practice cross-cousin marriages that are arranged through family negotiations. The wedding ceremony takes place at the bride's home, but it is consummated at the groom's home.


What Are Their Beliefs?

This is a Hindu people group that worships many Hindu gods along with local deities. They believe in supernatural elements and ancestral spirits that they hope will benefit them.


What Are Their Needs?

They would like to have formal education for their children, but they have few educational opportunities due to their poor economic situation. Thus they have a low literacy rate. Unfortunately, they are dependent on money-lenders which puts them in a vulnerable situation economically. Money lenders in India are noted for charging usury.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Dandasi people will take the initiative to seek and find Christ, the only one who can give them life to the full. Pray that many of their headmen and community leaders will put their trust in Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Dandasi in India.


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

People Name General Dandasi
People Name in Country Dandasi
Alternate Names Dandari; दण्दसी
Population this Country 81,000
Population all Countries 81,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 16668
ROP3 Code 111883
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 5
Largest States
Odisha
74,000
Andhra Pradesh
6,200
Tamil Nadu
200
Telangana
100
Delhi
100
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 5
  Odisha 74,000
  Andhra Pradesh 6,200
  Tamil Nadu 200
  Telangana 100
  Delhi 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.85 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.09 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (63,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Telugu
4,800
Hindi
600
Bengali
Primary Language Odia (63,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Telugu 4,800
  Hindi 600
  Bengali 10
People Groups Speaking Odia
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more