Birjia in India

Introduction / History

Birjia, or Birgia, people are also known as the Bijori. They live mainly in Jharkhand, and some parts of Chhattisgarh. They speak the Munda language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They live in the interior of the forests and do not have proper access to the outside world; as a result they lack education and proper medical facilities. Their forest territory is inhabited by a lot of wild animals. The wild animals constantly pose a threat to their crops and their lives.

However the people are very good-natured and are happy to see outsiders. They warmly welcome even a stranger and offer to help in every possible way.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Despite being officially Hindu, there are some Christians. It is good to see some Birjia Christians working as pastors, reaching their own people with the good news. There are also some cross-cultural evangelists. The people are very positive towards any Christian activity. One Birjia Christian is very interested in translating God's Word into his mother tongue. A strong Birjia Christian community would be established only if God's Word is given to them in the language they can best understand - Birjia.

What Are Their Needs?

Birjia people are economically very poor; most of them still depend on forest products for their livelihood now. They are short-statured and not very healthy, due to malnutrition. The literacy rate is also very low among them. These people need education, medical help and community development.

Prayer Points

Pray for the often neglected Birjia people to be given benefits from the government.
Pray for Christian workers to go as educationalists, medical workers, Bible translators and literacy workers.
Pray for the growing number of Birjia Christians to be rooted in God's word.

Text Source:   Joshua Project