The Kalwars were traditionally distillers and sellers of alcohol in north and central India. Their name comes from the Sanskrit word for "distiller of liquor." Since this profession was considered demeaning by most castes in Indian society, many Kalwars around the year 1900 began to leave their original trade for other careers. Although some of the Kalwars still are in the liquor business, most have taken jobs in agriculture, business, the military, government service, medicine, accounting, education and engineering. The Kalwar speak the primary languages of the states where they live including Hindi, Bengali and Magahi.
The majority of the Kalwars live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
The Kalwars are not vegetarians but they will not eat beef or pork. Rice and wheat are their staples along with vegetables, fruit and dairy products.
The Kalwars are endogamous, that is they do not marry outsiders. Marriage outside of the immediate clan is permitted. Families arrange marriages that are officiated by a Brahim priest. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's family.
Monogamy (marriage to one spouse) and adult marriage are the general rule. Most Kalwars live in extended families. Sons inherit property with the oldest son receiving the family house and father's authority. Alcoholism is a problem among the Kalwars.
The Kalwars of Hindu tradition worship all the deities of the Hindu pantheon and especially Vishnu, the preserver god and his consort Lakshmi. They also worship two of Vishnu's incarnations, Rama and Krishna.
A priest from their own community performs ceremonies that cure diseases and protect against evil spirits. The dead are cremated and the ashes are put into a river preferably the holy Ganges.
The Kalwar participate in Hindu holidays like Holi, the festival of colors, Navratri, celebration of nine nights, Ramanavmi, the birthday of Rama and Janamashtami, the birthday of Krishna.
The Kalwar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ who died for their sins. They need to see Biblical Christianity lived out in the lives of Christians. They need to have the opportunity to join Bible-believing churches in their own people group and language.
Pray the Lord would send Indian Christians and other believers to befriend and work with the Kalwars.
Pray that each Kalwar would have the opportunity to hear the gospel in an understandable way.
Pray the Lord would begin evangelical churches in the Kalwar community.
Scripture Prayers for the Kalwar (Hindu traditions) in India.
http://www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/kalwar/
Profile Source: David Kugel |
People Name General | Kalwar (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Kalwar (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | KAHL-wahr |
Alternate Names | Kalai; Kalal; Kalan; Kalar; Kalari; Kaleri; Kalladi; Kallar; Kalol; Kalya; Konwar; Sehare; Sehore; Sudhi; कलवार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 2,679,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,812,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 54 |
People ID | 17061 |
ROP3 Code | 112399 |
ROP25 Code | 303562 |
ROP25 Name | Kalwar |
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 | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
|
|||||||||||||||
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 | 15 |
Bihar 1,445,000 | |
Uttar Pradesh 979,000 | |
Chhattisgarh 470,000 | |
Jharkhand 321,000 | |
Maharashtra 238,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 231,000 | |
West Bengal 110,000 | |
Odisha 19,000 | |
Uttarakhand 6,500 | |
Sikkim 1,400 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 300 | |
Karnataka 200 | |
Delhi 100 | |
Meghalaya 100 | |
Tripura 30 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.05 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.95 %
|
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 (2,107,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 23 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (2,107,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 23 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Bhojpuri 679,000 | |
Chhattisgarhi 313,000 | |
Marathi 201,000 | |
Maithili 183,000 | |
Bengali 131,000 | |
Magahi 99,000 | |
Awadhi 62,000 | |
Kanauji 24,000 | |
Bundeli 18,000 | |
Odia 17,000 | |
Angika 16,000 | |
Nimadi 5,000 | |
Garhwali 2,800 | |
Surjapuri 2,700 | |
Sadri 900 | |
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 |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Kerry Olson All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | David Kugel |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |