Changgar in Pakistan

Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Changgar
Country: Pakistan
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 379,000
World Population: 385,500
Primary Language: Punjabi, Western
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: New Testament
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Muslim - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Changgar are also known as the Chagar, Changar, Chhanggar, or the Chungar. First language of the Changgar of Pakistan is Western Punjabi. Most of the men are also able to speak Urdu, the national language of Pakistan. The New Testament and the JESUS Film are available in Western Punjabi. Most Changar people live eastern Pakistan and are among the Rajasthani people cluster. Much smaller groups of Changgar live in Afghanistan and India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Muslim Changgar can be found in many aspects of society. They are found among the poor and the rich, the educated and illiterate, landlords and religious leaders. There is no way to generalize their lifestyles. In the rural areas, Changgar live in mud huts that have a separate living space for the women. Women are generally responsible for taking care of the home and children. Some practice purdah, which is the seclusion of women. Women often live separately from their husbands and do not go outside the home without a male family member. They are often required to cover their entire body, with only a small screen around the eyes. This is done to protect the honor of both her husband, and her father's family. Changgar who live in rural areas practice animal husbandry and agriculture. Men take care of herds of goats and flocks of sheep. The animals provide meat, milk, wool, and skins. Many families have plots of land where they grow wheat, barley, lentils, maize, and vegetables. The Changgar trade surplus animal products and produce for things they cannot make for themselves such as cell phones and appliances.
Some Changgar have become educated and work as professionals in Pakistani cities. Many Changgar young people are moving to the cities in hope of a better life.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Changgar are Sunni Muslims. Currently, there are few, if any Changgar followers of Christ. Sunni Muslims believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates. They minimize free will.

What Are Their Needs?

The Muslim Changgar people need to hear and accept the only savior so they can enjoy the forgiveness of sins and spiritually meaningful lives. Rural Changgar would benefit from access to modern medicine. Solar panels can bring electricity to rural Changgar.

Prayer Points

Pray for signs and wonders among the Changgar and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Ask God to send workers who will share the gospel with the Changgar.
Pray that the Lord would soften the hearts of the leaders of the Changgar people and make them open to hearing the good news.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Changgar in this decade.

Text Source:   Joshua Project