The Malhar Koli are an indigenous Hindu people group who live in western state of Maharashtra in India. The word Koli means "fisherman." Some sources consider the Malhar to be a Koli subgroups while others consider them to be separate. The Malhar are a Scheduled Tribe meaning that they are entitled to public jobs and special consideration for university admissions. The primary language of the Malhar is Marathi. Many resources are available in Marathi including a complete Bible and the Jesus Film. A tiny group among the Malhar call themselves followers of Jesus. Many Malhar are unable to read and write so the gospel will have to be presented to them in oral and visual forms.
In addition to being in the fishing business, some Malhar work as water carriers especially in the places where there is not much rain. The Mahlar often use government benefits that are available to them. They have a traditional caste council to look after their interests and settle legal disputes. The Malhar Koli are endogamous, meaning they prefer to marry within their group. They have monogamous marriages, meaning one man and one wife. Marriages are arranged by families. They allow for divorce and remarriage. On the death of the father, property goes to the sons with the oldest son taking charge as the new head of the household. As in most tribal peoples of India, illiteracy is a major issue for the Malhar especially for the women and girls. Malhar children frequently quit school after a few years to help their parents earn a living.
Almost all of Koli are Hindus. Hindus usually have a pragmatic approach to religion; they worship the gods they believe will protect them and provide for their needs. The Hinduism of the Malhar is heavily mixed with folk religion and ancestor worship. The Malhar believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. The spirits must be appeased, or the evil spirits can bring disaster upon the people.
The Malhar Koli people need the opportunity to allow Jesus Christ to enrich their lives physically, economically and spiritually. Some Malhar villages are without electricity. Solar panels would greatly improve their lives. They often lack access to clean water and modern medicine. The Malhar must hear and understand the message about Jesus Christ to have their sins forgiven and to obtain eternal life.
* Scripture Prayers for the Koli Malhar in India.
* Pray that the Koli traditional council leaders will come to Jesus Christ and lead others to Him. * Pray that Indian followers of Christ will lead them into an unstoppable disciple making movement to Christ. *Pray that good schools and modern medicine becomes available to the Malhar. *Pray that the small Malhar church would grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Koli Malhar |
People Name in Country | Koli Malhar |
Natural Name | Malhar Koli |
Population this Country | 311,000 |
Population all Countries | 311,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 6 |
Alternate Names | Chumli; Danbhari; Kunum; Mahratta Kunbi; Malhan; Malhar; Pan; Panbari; कोली मल्हार |
People ID | 17212 |
ROP3 Code | 112578 |
Country | India | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 20 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 20 |
Maharashtra 282,000 | |
Karnataka 9,100 | |
Madhya Pradesh 7,300 | |
Gujarat 4,400 | |
Telangana 4,000 | |
Odisha 1,200 | |
Tamil Nadu 800 | |
Andhra Pradesh 500 | |
Kerala 200 | |
Chhattisgarh 200 | |
Delhi 200 | |
Uttar Pradesh 100 | |
Rajasthan 80 | |
Dadra and Nagar Have 40 | |
West Bengal 40 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Marathi (259,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | mar Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 24 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
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Primary Language | Marathi (259,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mar Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 24 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Konkani 34,000 | |
Gujarati 6,000 | |
Kannada 4,300 | |
Hindi 3,300 | |
Odia 1,200 | |
Bhili 1,100 | |
Telugu 800 | |
Ahirani 700 | |
Konkani, Goan 400 | |
Khandesi 200 | |
Nimadi 200 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 70 | |
Urdu 60 | |
Korku 30 | |
Kacchi 20 | |
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 (1821-2015) |
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 |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture / Bible |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories in Marathi |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Following Jesus (India, JF Project) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Marathi |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
General | God's Simple Plan |
General | Gospel website in this language |
General | Got Questions Ministry |
Mobile App | Download Audio Bible app as APK File from FCBH |
Mobile App | Download Audio Bible app from Google Play Store |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
1.05 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.04 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.53 %
|
Islam |
0.16 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.02 %
|
Unknown |
0.19 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |