Dhimar in India

The Dhimar 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

Operation World states, "India's ancient, complex, and often difficult to understand past, it's racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity, and the caste system, all make detailed population analysis very difficult."

Dhimar people are also called by the names of Bhoi, Kahar, Machandar, Baraua, and Palewar.


Where Are they Located?

They live mainly in the Central Provinces of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There are not distinct castes in the Central Provinces.

Dhimar (fishermen) people are fishermen and palanquin (sedan chair) bearers. They also work as boatmen, workmen in cultivation along the river banks, water carriers, rope weavers, grindstone sharpeners, and sellers of sweet potatoes, dry grains, rice and boiled plums.

In the spring, they join the Hindu community in Holi, a festival of colors, or "festival of love." Holi is a celebration of the end of winter, and the triumph of good over evil. It is a joyful event that unites people from all backgrounds and castes. Many participate by throwing colored waters and powders at both friends and strangers. Though the heart of Holi is play, reconciliation, love and thanksgiving, it is ultimately linked to the worship of false gods.

First cousins are not allowed to marry one another. Widows can remarry, and divorce is permitted, but it does not happen often. Children are named on the day they are born, or 12 days later. They are poor, and as a result do not cremate their dead.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Dhimar people are mostly Hindus who worship Dulha Deo, Shiva, Ganesh, Hanuman, and Lakshmi.

Persecution levels vary widely from state to state, although strong laws are being passed in Central Provinces limiting conversions to Christianity.


What Are Their Needs?

Central India remains a pioneer mission field, but outreach and response are increasing, reflecting persecution levels.

Dhimar people are generally poor and have many physical and spiritual needs. Their greatest need is for their Savior.


Prayer Points

Pray that Dhimar people will be liberated by God's Holy Spirit from the many ties that bind them, and false deities that weigh them down, causing them to live in fear.

Pray that as they celebrate Holi, the Holy Spirit of the one true God will enable them to experience His reconciliation – His full payment of the penalty for their sins.


Scripture Prayers for the Dhimar in India.


References

www.india9.com
www.indianetzone.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DEhimar


Profile Source:   Karen Hightower  

People Name General Dhimar
People Name in Country Dhimar
Pronunciation dee-MAHR
Alternate Names Ahir; Balewar; Banawar; Barana; Benua; Bhoi; Bhorji; Dharhiar; Dhimen; Dhimer; Dhiwar; Dhudhiya Bharwad; Gabit; Gal Bhoi; Harkantra; Jal Kshatriya; Jalchattri; Jalchattri Kshatriya; Jhee Darhi; JheeDarhi; Jhinwar; Kahar; Kashyap; Kewat; Kir; Machhandar; Machhander; Mallah; Mallahan; Mangela; Page; Palewar; Raekari; Raika; Raikar; Raikari; Raikwar; Rajput; Saimari; Sanduri; धिमार
Population this Country 2,245,000
Population all Countries 2,245,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 45
People ID 16705
ROP3 Code 111940
ROP25 Code 302070
ROP25 Name Dhimar
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 10
Largest States
Madhya Pradesh
1,141,000
Maharashtra
651,000
Chhattisgarh
248,000
Odisha
198,000
Rajasthan
5,000
Gujarat
2,000
Delhi
400
Daman and Diu
90
Dadra and Nagar Have
90
Chandigarh
50
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 10
  Madhya Pradesh 1,141,000
  Maharashtra 651,000
  Chhattisgarh 248,000
  Odisha 198,000
  Rajasthan 5,000
  Gujarat 2,000
  Delhi 400
  Daman and Diu 90
  Dadra and Nagar Have 90
  Chandigarh 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.13 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.87 %
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 Hindi (1,049,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Marathi
480,000
Chhattisgarhi
170,000
Odia
137,000
Bundeli
33,000
Bagheli
7,800
Nimadi
4,100
Dhundari
2,700
Gujarati
1,900
Malvi
1,200
Bengali
1,100
Kui
900
Santhali
500
Mundari
300
Kurux
200
Koda
200
Primary Language Hindi (1,049,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 19
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Marathi 480,000
  Chhattisgarhi 170,000
  Odia 137,000
  Bundeli 33,000
  Bagheli 7,800
  Nimadi 4,100
  Dhundari 2,700
  Gujarati 1,900
  Malvi 1,200
  Bengali 1,100
  Kui 900
  Santhali 500
  Mundari 300
  Kurux 200
  Koda 200
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Karen Hightower 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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