Ghatwar Bhuiya in Bangladesh


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Ghatwar Bhuiya are a Hindu agricultural people who live in the northeastern Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar. A much smaller population lives in Bangladesh. Their name means "owner of soil." At one time they were nomadic hunter-gatherers but now they are settled agricultural workers. Ironically unlike their name meaning, most Ghatwar are now landless. They toil in fields owned by other higher castes. The Bhuiyas include six subgroups, one of which is the Ghatwar. The primary language of the Bangladeshi Ghatwar is Bengali.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The majority of the Ghatwar are landless farm workers. In urban areas some Ghatwar work as day laborers in construction and in factories. They are not vegetarians but as poor Bangladeshi most of their diet is composed of plants since meat is costly. As Hindus they will not eat beef.

The Ghatwar marry within their group. Marriage to one spouse is theirs regular practice. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Young people often marry in their teens. Sons inherit property upon their father's death. A caste council settles legal disputes and promotes their interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bangladeshi Ghatwar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Their Hinduism is influenced by animism. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Ghatwar 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Ghatwar people are 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Ghatwar fit into the working caste.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ghatwar Bhuiya people need to accept the abundant life offered only by Jesus Christ. They need to learn new job skills to improve their place in Bangladeshi society. Their children need good schools and teachers. Most of all the Ghatwar must hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them the hope of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead the Ghatwar to seek and find Christ.

Pray that gospel recordings and other Christian resources will provide them with the means to begin an unstoppable disciple making movement to Christ.

Pray that they will be lifted up in prayer by many in the family of God.

Pray that Bangladeshi believers will go the Ghatwar and tell them about Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhuiya Ghatwar in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bhuiya Ghatwar
People Name in Country Bhuiya Ghatwar
Natural Name Ghatwar Bhuiya
Alternate Names Ghataur; Ghatwal; भुईया घटवार
Population this Country 2,500
Population all Countries 374,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 21122
ROP3 Code 117945
ROP25 Code 302674
ROP25 Name Ghatwar
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Khulna
1,200
Chittagong
800
Dhaka
500
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Khulna 1,200
  Chittagong 800
  Dhaka 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 Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (1,900 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Chittagonian
700
Primary Language Bengali (1,900 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Chittagonian 700
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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 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 Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali 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 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 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 Anonymous 
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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