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.
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.
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.
The Kharva people need to put their trust and their future in Jesus Christ, the only One who can offer them dignity and hope.
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.
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 |
|
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 |
Primary Language: Sindhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1890-1992) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
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. |