Kharva (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The primary occupation of the Kharvi has traditionally been salt extraction and preparation. They live all over India, but a small number are in Pakistan's Sindh Province, where they speak Sindhi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today most are either farmers or fishermen. The necklace and colored powder worn as a dot on the forehead (kumkum) are the symbols of a married woman. They cremate their dead but children below 18 months of age are buried. They usually maintain close and cordial social relations with neighboring communities. Like other Hindu communities in Pakistan, the Kharva are somewhat marginalized in this Muslim dominated nation state.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Some are followers of the Swaminarayan sect of Hinduism. They are devotees of Swaminarayan, a guru ascetic who taught and lived a life of compassion. Their deities are Shakti, Mahakali Katyayani, and Bhuvaneshwari among many other Hindu deities. Since Hinduism is a catch-all for the traditional religions in this region, they can worship any number of deities or none at all if they wish. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kharva people need to put their trust and their future in Jesus Christ, the only One who can offer them dignity and hope.


Prayer Points

Pray for workers to go to the Kharva people in Pakistan. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead Kharva elders to the cross of Christ. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Kharva people this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Kharva (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kharwa_caste


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kharva (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Kharva (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Kharvi; Kharwa; Khavas; Khawas; Konkan Kharvi; खारवा (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 13,000
Population all Countries 507,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17156
ROP3 Code 112506
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Sindh 12,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
2.18 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.82 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (8,400 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
3,300
Kacchi
400
Saraiki
300
Primary Language Sindhi (8,400 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 3,300
  Kacchi 400
  Saraiki 300
People Groups Speaking Sindhi
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2023  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.