Bimla was busy running around, checking to see if everything was ready. The whole family was fasting and the priest was about to come. Every night they were hearing noises. Her father would wake up with the feeling that someone was trying to choke him. Hopefully, after the puja they would have no more trouble with the spirit that had been bothering their home for the last few weeks.
By evening, everyone had gathered around the little fire in the courtyard. The priest was beating his drum and singing. Aunt Kamla, possessed by a spirit, began chanting, "I am your uncle Dipu! Why did you take my field? I am very angry!" Bimla was frightened. So it was uncle Dipu's ghost that was bothering them all this time! Everyone bowed down to the doll representing uncle and asked for forgiveness. The pandit now started a different tune and slowly aunt Kamla came back to her usual self. This was the "Jaagar" ceremony, to appease the spirit that was troubling them. Now there would be no more troubles.
The eastern half of the state of Uttarakhand, bordering Nepal and China, has a beautiful landscape with green valleys, hills and snowy peaks – the home of the Kumaoni.
They follow a religion that is a mixture of animism and Hinduism. At most festivals and pujas, people are possessed by spirits, usually attributed to a god or goddess, or a dead person.
Although Hindi is the language for wider communication, Kumaoni can be heard everywhere. Bible translation is progressing, with the active participation of Kumaoni speakers. The Jesus film, a set of Bible stories and several portions of Scripture are now available. Although the Kumaoni are not against Christianity, only a small number have responded to the Gospel.
Churches are found mostly in towns, but they use Hindi. Some missions, Christian NGOs and churches are involved in outreach. In spite of Kumaoni speakers coming to Christ every year, the church is not significantly growing. Much prayer is needed to start a movement among the Kumaoni.
They live a meagre lifestyle, supported through farming. Unemployment is rampant and many young men loiter around markets, with nothing else to do.
* Scripture Prayers for the Rajput Kumaoni in India.
* The mother tongue translators to be diligent and systematic in their work, and to find joy and fulfilment in their task.
* Published Scripture portions to reach the right hands.
* The few Christians to be good witnesses, and God's Word to take root in people's hearts.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Expanded PDF Profile |
Global Prayer Digest: 2016-08-30 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2019-08-27 |
People Name General | Rajput Kumaoni |
People Name in Country | Rajput Kumaoni |
Pronunciation | RAHJ-put koo-mah-OWN-ee |
Natural Name | Kumaoni Rajput |
Natural Pronunciation | koo-mah-OWN-ee RAHJ-put |
Population this Country | 503,000 |
Population all Countries | 503,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 10 |
Alternate Names | Kshettri; Thakur-Rajput; राजपूत, कुमाओनी |
People ID | 20411 |
ROP3 Code | 116195 |
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) | ||
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 | 1 |
Uttarakhand 503,000 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Kumaoni (452,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | kfy Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Kumaoni (452,000 speakers) |
Language Code | kfy Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi 52,000 | |
People Groups | Speaking Kumaoni |
Primary Language: Kumaoni
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-2007) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1825) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 | Oral Bible stories in Kumaoni |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Kumaoni |
General | Gospel website in this language |
General | Gospel website in this language |
Text / Printed Matter | Online Bible Text (Scripture Earth) |
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. |
Photo Source | apsaramokashi Creative Commons Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |