Dusadh Bahelia 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 Bahelia people are now considered low class, but they were once higher in the Hindu caste system. They were soldiers in Rajput-led armies. After a key military defeat, the Bahelia had to flee and hide in the jungles, where they survived by catching birds and animals, honey extraction, all considered low status jobs. Taking such jobs led to them losing their favorable caste status. During colonial times, the Dusadh were also known as robbers, looters and criminals. As a result, the Bahelia are often not welcomed by other communities.


Where Are they Located?

This Hindu people group lives in eastern India in the states of Bihar, West Bengal, and the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. Some live in Bangladesh where they are part of the Hindu minority in a Muslim country.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Dusadh work as landless agricultural laborers. They have a tradition of making fans with peacock feathers and selling the birds they catch. They collect honey from the forest. Modern India's development programs are improving the lives of some Bahelia people. They are taking advantage of greater educational opportunities, and their literacy rate is improving, especially for boys. Their health care is also slowly improving.

The Bahelia marry within their own group. Sons inherit their father's property. A caste council settles legal disputes and promotes the Bahelia's interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Dusadh Bahelia people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. At the popular level where the Dusadh people are, Hindus worship and serve the gods whom they believe will give them favor and protection. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do. They also believe that spirits inhabit their forests. These spirits must be appeased through offerings and rituals or they can bring disaster upon the community.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bahelia need to learn new job skills. Most of them need access to modern medicine. Many of their women need to learn to read and write. Most of all, the Bahelia need to hear and respond to the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and get them right with the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will send culturally sensitive missionaries who will show the Bahelia the way to the cross.
Pray that the tiny group of Bahelia believers would grow spiritually and share the good news with their people.
Pray for this people group to be blessed with peace, joy and spiritual prosperity as they follow Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Dusadh Bahelia in Bangladesh.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16288/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21477/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baheliya


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Dusadh Bahelia
People Name in Country Dusadh Bahelia
Pronunciation doo-SAHT bah-HEH-lee-ah
Alternate Names Dhada; Dhara; Dharhi; Dhari; Dhibar; दुसाध बहेलिया
Population this Country 5,800
Population all Countries 823,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 21477
ROP3 Code 118293
ROP25 Code 302182
ROP25 Name Dosadh / Dusadh
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 5
Largest States
Rangpur
1,800
Rajshahi
1,800
Dhaka
1,700
Khulna
400
Chittagong
200
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 5
  Rangpur 1,800
  Rajshahi 1,800
  Dhaka 1,700
  Khulna 400
  Chittagong 200
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 (5,800 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bengali (5,800 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
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 G. Noel Cyril - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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