Hindu Valmiki in Pakistan


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

Introduction / History

All Valmiki claim to be descendants of Valmiki, an author of the Ramayana. Some of the Valmiki living in the Punjab have converted to Sikhism. Some Valmiki became Muslims during the Mogul Period.
In colonial times, the Valmiki were known as a martial (military) caste. Many of them found employment in the British Army. Today Valmiki continue to serve in the Pakistani Armed Forces.
The primary languages of the Valmiki of Pakistan are Saraiki, Western Punjabi and Sindhi. There are few in any believers among the Valmiki in either India or Pakistan.
The vast majority of the Hindu Valmiki people live in India. Much smaller populations live in Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In India and Pakistan most Valmiki occupy a lower place in society. Besides serving in the military, Valmiki labor as streetsweepers, watchmen, toilet cleaners, and as farm workers. The Valmiki generally do not own the land they work on. Some Valmiki have become educated and work in politics, teaching and government positions.
The Valmiki tend to marry within their group. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young couple. Girls marry in their teens while boys are a few years older. Marriage to one spouse is the norm among the Valmiki. Boys receive at least an elementary education while girls often quit school after a few years to help their mother with domestic responsibilities.
Rural Valmiki often lack access to modern medicine, so their life expectancy is less than 60 years. Valmiki parents have many children. Unfortunately, many children die before reaching the age of ten. Their main foods are rice, vegetable and lentils. Hindu Valmiki eat meat except for beef. They also refrain from eating pork as to not offend their Muslim neighbors.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Valmiki people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Valmiki need new job skills so they can improve their place in society. Valmiki women need to improve their literacy levels. Rural Valmiki would benefit by having access to modern medicine. Most of all, Valmiki must hear and respond to the good news about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send anointed workers to the Valmiki of Pakistan and India.
Pray that the leaders among the Valmiki would be open to hearing the gospel.
Pray that the Valmiki would be led by the Holy Spirit to listen to Christian radio programs.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Valmiki this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Valmiki (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmiki_caste
https://dbpedia.org/page/Valmiki_caste
https://www.quora.com/In-which-caste-does-Valmiki-fall-under


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Valmiki (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Valmiki (Hindu traditions)
Natural Name Hindu Valmiki
Pronunciation wahl-MEE-kee
Alternate Names Balmik; Balmiki; Bhangi; Byada; Churhra; Hair; Hari; Malkana Mehtar; Mehtar; Mehtor
Population this Country 119,000
Population all Countries 5,934,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 22348
ROP3 Code 119347
ROP25 Code 308545
ROP25 Name Valmiki / Balmiki (SC)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 5
Largest States
Punjab
58,000
Sindh
57,000
Balochistan
3,700
Islamabad
600
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
500
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 5
  Punjab 58,000
  Sindh 57,000
  Balochistan 3,700
  Islamabad 600
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Saraiki (47,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Western
32,000
Sindhi
24,000
Marwari (Pakistan)
12,000
Dhatki
4,500
Urdu
400
Kacchi
300
Hindko, Southern
300
Pahari-Potwari
200
Bagri
200
Hindko, Northern
30
Goaria
30
Primary Language Saraiki (47,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Western 32,000
  Sindhi 24,000
  Marwari (Pakistan) 12,000
  Dhatki 4,500
  Urdu 400
  Kacchi 300
  Hindko, Southern 300
  Pahari-Potwari 200
  Bagri 200
  Hindko, Northern 30
  Goaria 30
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Aathi94 - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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