The Mankar Bhil are a scheduled tribe. They speak Bhili and Marathi and read and write in Devanagari. They live in Maharashtra and also live in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Many years ago, Bhil rajas (kings) permitted immigrants from the plains to settle in the hill regions. To safeguard their independence andrule, the Bhil fought against the Moghals, the Marathas, and the British. Many Bhil are being threatenedby the Sardar Saravor Dam project, which when completed will flood the land where many Bhil currentlylive. Though re-settlement plans have been discussed, they remain incomplete.
The Mankar Bhil work in agriculture and as laborers. They also work in animal husbandry and they collectforest produce which they sell at markets. A local council looks after their needs and judges their disagreements. The divorced and bereaved can marry again. The dead are either cremated or buriedwhich is rare for Hindu communities. The Central Bhil are usually shy and love their independence. Festivals, dance, drama, and music are a large part of their culture. Each village is led by a head man who deals with disputes. Respect among family members is strong, and there is a great sense of connection between the living and the dead. Property is shared equally by the male descendants. Bhil villages are rather widely scattered. The houses are located in fields where they grow millet, maize, wheat, and barley. The highlanders live in tidy houses made with walls of sticks intertwined with small branches. The roofs (shaped like bee-hives), are usually made of clay tiles, but are sometimes made of straw and leaves.
Almost all of the Central Bhil practice ethnic religions that have been highly influenced by Hinduism. They worship Shiva as their supreme god. Ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors) is also quite popular. They call upon shamans to offer sacrifices to their many gods and mud idols.
There are three segregated classes:the Bhagat Bhil, the ordinary Bhil, and the lowest class - the Christian Bhil. To accept Christ is like becoming an outcast.
Pray that the council leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead this community into a disciple making movement. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead them to the only Savior. Pray for faithful workers who are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Scripture Prayers for the Bhil Mankar in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Bhil Mankar |
People Name in Country | Bhil Mankar |
Natural Name | Mankar Bhil |
Alternate Names | भील मानकर |
Population this Country | 270,000 |
Population all Countries | 270,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 5 |
People ID | 21016 |
ROP3 Code | 117867 |
ROP25 Code | 301152 |
ROP25 Name | Bhil |
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 |
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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 |
Madhya Pradesh 269,000 | |
Maharashtra 500 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.01 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.64 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.07 %
|
Islam |
0.22 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.07 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (105,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 18 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
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Primary Language | Hindi (105,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 18 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Bhili 85,000 | |
Bhilali 33,000 | |
Nimadi 20,000 | |
Mawchi 5,600 | |
Khandesi 4,500 | |
Dangi 3,100 | |
Malvi 1,500 | |
Bareli, Rathwi 800 | |
Marathi 600 | |
Gujarati 500 | |
Dungra Bhil 300 | |
Vasavi 200 | |
Korwa 90 | |
Bareli, Pauri 50 | |
Kannada 50 | |
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 |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |