Sonjhara in India

The Sonjhara have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Traditionally the Sonjhara panned for gold in rivers, but the gold ran out and they had to make changes. They have been associated with the Gond tribe, but they are not the same. This group has low status in Hindu society.
They live in the central states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sonjhara people are usually farmers and livestock herders today.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sonjhara people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. 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?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and divine guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to bless this community economically and spiritually.
Ask God to raise up Sonjhara people who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay on the broad road.
Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Sonjhara in the near future.
Pray the Sonjhara would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.
Pray for many of them to make disciples who will make even more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Sonjhara in India.


References

http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Sonjhara


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sonjhara
People Name in Country Sonjhara
Alternate Names सोनझारा
Population this Country 22,000
Population all Countries 22,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18151
ROP3 Code 113661
ROP25 Code 303377
ROP25 Name Jhora / Sonjhar
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 4
Largest States
Odisha
19,000
Maharashtra
1,900
Chhattisgarh
900
Madhya Pradesh
400
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 4
  Odisha 19,000
  Maharashtra 1,900
  Chhattisgarh 900
  Madhya Pradesh 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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (14,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Chhattisgarhi
2,600
Hindi
1,900
Bengali
300
Primary Language Odia (14,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Chhattisgarhi 2,600
  Hindi 1,900
  Bengali 300
People Groups Speaking Odia

Primary Language:  Odia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1809-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1815-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
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Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Odia Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
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.



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