Bolla Balija in India

The Bolla Balija 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

According to legend Balija Bolla people are a weaver caste that originated when their god Chamundeshwari threw rice into the sacrificial fire from which a host of warriors sprang out. Rulers appointed Balija families to supervise provinces as Nayaks (governors, commanders). They were known as warrior merchants; powerful and wealthy, who were highly respected. They were primarily tax collectors and merchants.


Where Are they Located?

This Hindu people group is scattered throughout southern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, Balija people are farmers, traders and craftsmen of bangles, and pearl and coral ornaments. They are one of the most socially and economically backward communities in India. They are scattered, known by different names. Since they admit people of other castes, they are regarded as a mixed community. They have been oppressed for generations.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Balija Bolla people are Hindu. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods whom they believe will give them favor and protection, much like a business transaction. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.


What Are Their Needs?

Although audio, visual, and written Bible resources are available in Telugu, their spoken language, they remain unreached with the truth of the gospel. Their greatest need is to understand the infinite love of Almighty God for them, and His provisional payment of the penalty for their sins. They need to be freed by the Prince of Peace, so they can be free indeed.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Balija Bolla culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Balija Bolla family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple-making movement among the Balija Bolla people.
Pray that soon the Balija Bolla people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Balija Bolla in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balija


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Balija Bolla
People Name in Country Balija Bolla
Natural Name Bolla Balija
Alternate Names Ambiga; Balija Naidu; Bestar; Bholla; Bogam; Bolla; Boya Bestha; Gajula; Gangemakkalu; Gazula; Gazula Balija; Gazut Balija; Gudem Dasari; Kabbera; Kapu; Kasban; Kasbi; Kasbin; Kavarai; Naidu; Parivara; Parivarattar; Siviyar; Telaga; Thogra; Thota Balija; Toraga Balija; Toreyar; Vaidu; Varala; Veerasaiva Lingayat; बलिजा बोल्ला
Population this Country 87,000
Population all Countries 87,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 21090
ROP3 Code 117914
ROP25 Code 300768
ROP25 Name Balija
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 7
Largest States
Telangana
42,000
Tamil Nadu
26,000
Odisha
9,000
Maharashtra
6,200
Andhra Pradesh
1,800
Chhattisgarh
1,500
Madhya Pradesh
600
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 7
  Telangana 42,000
  Tamil Nadu 26,000
  Odisha 9,000
  Maharashtra 6,200
  Andhra Pradesh 1,800
  Chhattisgarh 1,500
  Madhya Pradesh 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.97 %
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 Telugu (55,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Kannada
8,900
Tamil
7,300
Odia
2,900
Primary Language Telugu (55,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Kannada 8,900
  Tamil 7,300
  Odia 2,900
People Groups Speaking Telugu

Primary Language:  Telugu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2022)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 Telugu 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 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 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
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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.



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