Rathia (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 Rathia people believe that their origins are from Rathor, a Rajput clan. Though most of the Rathia people live in India's states of Rajasthan or Himachal Pradesh, there are a small number who live in Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rathia people earn their living by farming, raising sheep or weaving woolen goods. Marriages among the Rathia are arranged, and families will negotiate an acceptable exchange before agreeing to the wedding. If his first wife does not give him a child, a Rathia man is permitted to marry a second woman. Since the Rathia are among the Rajput clans, they do not want to lose their high status by marrying outside their community. The Rathia people live in extended families. The Rathi are non-vegetarian, and their staple cereals are maize, wheat and rice. Consumption of alcohol is common among the men.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rathia people practice Hinduism. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rathia people need to know that their worth is tied in with their relationship with the Almighty Father.


Prayer Points

Pray for God to send workers to point the Rathia people to the One who offers life to the full. Pray for Rathi men to be freed from alcohol addiction. Pray for a movement to Christ among the Hindu Rathia people this decade.


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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Rathia (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Rathia (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation RAH-tee-ah
Alternate Names Rath; Rathi; Rathia; Rathodia; Rato; रतिया (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 6,400
Population all Countries 822,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17982
ROP3 Code 113472
ROP25 Code 306958
ROP25 Name Rath
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
  Punjab 6,400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 Saraiki (5,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Marwari (Pakistan)
1,400
Primary Language Saraiki (5,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Marwari (Pakistan) 1,400
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source Stevie Mann - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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