Halba in India

The Halba have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Subgroups: 2

Subgroup Name Population
Kuduk 3,900
Nagbansi 3,800

Introduction / History

The Bastar district is sometimes described as the 'Kashmir of Chhatisgarh '. The area is rich in natural beauty, surrounded by dense forests, mountains, streams, waterfalls, natural caves, and natural parks. It is also home to some colorful tribes: the Halbas, the Bhatras and the Gonds. Among these, the Halba occupy a key position. This could be because the friendly Halba are one of the most progressive and affluent landowning tribal communities. Halba people maintain a good rapport with neighboring tribes and take pride in their unique cultural elements such as their costumes, language, and lifestyle.
Though the Halba are primarily found in Chhattisgarh, they are also scattered through the neighboring states of Maharashtra and Odisha.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Their literacy level is very low owing to the poor infrastructure. Villages have primary schools, but these do not function regularly. Though there are some positive changes taking place in Halba society, poor health, malnutrition, infant mortality, child marriage and child labor are still major obstacles to significant progress.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Halba are largely Hindu, with a small percentage of Muslims and Christians. Different mission agencies are involved in evangelism, and churches are being established. God's word is the first ever printed material in Halbi – the language of the Halba. In addition to Scripture portions, a film about Jesus, gospel tracts and audio cassettes are also available in Halbi. However, people are hesitant to decide to follow the Lord, so missionaries are making inroads to the community through child-care programs. Christians being viewed as low caste, illiteracy, and forced re-conversion are the main hindrances to the spread of the gospel across this region.


What Are Their Needs?

The Halba people need protection, both from criminal elements in their area, but also from the work of the devil. The only protection they can have is Jesus Christ, the one who came to destroy the work of the devil.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Halba culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Halba family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a Disciple Making Movement among the Halba people.
Pray that soon the Halba people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Halba in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Halba
People Name in Country Halba
Pronunciation HAHL-bah
Alternate Names Halba Kosthi; Halbi; Halva; Halvi; Holva; Nagbansi; Telga; हलबा
Population this Country 825,000
Population all Countries 825,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 16
PeopleID3 16901
ROP3 Code 112191
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 11
Largest States
Chhattisgarh
490,000
Maharashtra
294,000
Odisha
22,000
Madhya Pradesh
16,000
Gujarat
1,600
Telangana
400
Uttar Pradesh
200
Rajasthan
200
Delhi
90
Andhra Pradesh
80
Goa
10
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 11
  Chhattisgarh 490,000
  Maharashtra 294,000
  Odisha 22,000
  Madhya Pradesh 16,000
  Gujarat 1,600
  Telangana 400
  Uttar Pradesh 200
  Rajasthan 200
  Delhi 90
  Andhra Pradesh 80
  Goa 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.09 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.30 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
95.60 %
Islam
0.17 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.04 %
Unknown
3.80 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (271,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 54
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Chhattisgarhi
213,000
Halbi
205,000
Hindi
77,000
Odia
8,200
Bhatri
4,100
Gondi, Northern
1,900
English
1,200
Kannada
1,000
Pengo
800
Telugu
800
Desiya
500
Kharia
300
Koya
200
Gujarati
200
Kolami, Northwestern
200
Primary Language Marathi (271,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 54
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Chhattisgarhi 213,000
  Halbi 205,000
  Hindi 77,000
  Odia 8,200
  Bhatri 4,100
  Gondi, Northern 1,900
  English 1,200
  Kannada 1,000
  Pengo 800
  Telugu 800
  Desiya 500
  Kharia 300
  Koya 200
  Gujarati 200
  Kolami, Northwestern 200
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
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 Marathi Jesus Film Project
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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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