Sounti in India

The Sounti 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

Sounti people are one of the 46 scheduled tribes of Orissa in East Central India. The word "Sounti" comes from the word Sounta and means "gathered." From 16 main tribes, they, alone, have received recognition. They are known for living peacefully with other tribes.

It has been said that many were outcasts from Oriya castes. Their number became larger very quickly; they willingly received other outcasts.


Where Are they Located?

Sounti people live in Orissa.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Sounti people speak, read, and write mainly in Oriya, though many are illiterate. They have a traditional local council. They share wells with their neighbors. They have their own healthcare but they also use modern medicine. Sounti people work primarily in agriculture. Women do housework and are laborers. They have festivals and enjoy music and dance. They only marry within their social group. They are not vegetarians and rice is their main cereal. They have one spouse, and divorce is allowed. Inheritance is intended for males, and the oldest son becomes the leader of the family.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are mostly Hindus, and follow local traditions.


What Are Their Needs?

They have a low literacy level requiring audio and visual resources which are available, including the printed New Testament in the Oriya language. Someone needs to take these resources to the Sounti people in this predominantly Hindu culture.


Prayer Points

Pray that long-term workers will be sent to Orissa to earn confidence of Sounti people.
Pray that doors will open for Scripture resources to be used to reach Sounti people with the truth of the gospel.
Pray that Sounti people will begin to question the nature of the gods they have worshipped for centuries.


Scripture Prayers for the Sounti in India.


Profile Source:   Karen Hightower  

People Name General Sounti
People Name in Country Sounti
Alternate Names सौंती
Population this Country 136,000
Population all Countries 136,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 18155
ROP3 Code 113666
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 2
Largest States
Odisha
133,000
Delhi
100
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 2
  Odisha 133,000
  Delhi 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.53 %
Islam
0.07 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.29 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (110,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Kuvi
1,600
Sora
400
Hindi
300
Ho
200
Desiya
200
Munda
100
English
60
Telugu
60
Santhali
50
Juang
40
Koda
30
Primary Language Odia (110,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Kuvi 1,600
  Sora 400
  Hindi 300
  Ho 200
  Desiya 200
  Munda 100
  English 60
  Telugu 60
  Santhali 50
  Juang 40
  Koda 30
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)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Odia YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Karen Hightower 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.