Tawaif (Hindu traditions) in India

The Tawaif (Hindu traditions) 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.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Harkaya 6,600
Bakaria 3,200
Paturia 300

Introduction / History

Tawaif women were once courtesans, high class prostitutes who were also artistic performers. Hindu Tawaifs are far better known than their Muslim counterparts. Hindu Tawaifs in India live in Uttar Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Tawaif people have their own culture which involves music and dance. People have wavered for many years between viewing them in negative terms, even as non-humans, and honoring their cultural achievements. There have been Bollywood movies about the lives of Tawaif women.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tawaifs 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?

The Tawaifs need to find their worth in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Some need help with job training so they can earn a better living.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit driven workers to go to the Hindu Tawaifs until there they have their own church planting movement.
Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find the only savior.
Pray for the Lord to speak to the hearts of Tawaif community leaders, giving them reason to open the doors for the gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Tawaif (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tawaif
https://newlinesmag.com/photo-essays/the-movement-to-place-indias-belittled-courtesans-in-a-more-positive-light/
https://www.thefandomentals.com/bollywood-tantalizing-portrayal-tawaif/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tawaif (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tawaif (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bakariya; Harkaya; तवायफ़ (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 22,000
Population all Countries 22,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18225
ROP3 Code 113751
ROP25 Code 308017
ROP25 Name Tawaif
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
Uttar Pradesh
21,000
Uttarakhand
500
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
  Uttar Pradesh 21,000
  Uttarakhand 500
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 Hindi (11,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
5,400
Kanauji
700
Kumaoni
300
Awadhi
300
Primary Language Hindi (11,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 5,400
  Kanauji 700
  Kumaoni 300
  Awadhi 300
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  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.



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