Goriya (Hindu traditions) in India

People Name:	Goriya (Hindu traditions)
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	367,000
World Population:	368,000
Primary Language:	Hindi
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Goriya are also known as Gaur. They are one of the lower castes in Hinduism. Traditionally the Goriya were fishermen and ferrymen. Domination by higher castes has "scarred" them even to this day.

Where Are they Located?

Goriya people live in Uttar Pradesh, and are found mainly in Faizabad, Janupur, Sultanpur and Varanasi in the eastern part of the state.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Goriya people are fishermen and boatmen. They also work as farmers, laborers, and some own small businesses.

They eat poultry, fish, mutton and pork, wheat and rice, seasonable vegetables, fruit, and dairy products. Because of their Hindu religion they do not eat beef. Their literacy rate is low, especially for the girls. They use modern medicines and native medicines.

The Goriyas have traditional councils controlling social matters. Parents and family members arrange marriages, and they only marry within their community. Though child marriages are common, they are less common than they were a generation ago. The Goriya people allow for divorce. Divorcees and the bereaved can marry again.

A father's property is given equally to his sons. Though the men hold the power, they still value women. Women maintain the households, and help their husbands on the farm, collect fuel, and carry water. Women are involved in religious rites and social occasions.

Goriya people speak Awadhi and Hindi. They read and write in Devanagari.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Goriyas are Hindus and worship many gods. They also worship family, ancestors, village and regional gods. They believe in the occult and in reincarnation. They celebrate most Hindu festivals.


Brahmin priests perform their birth, marriage and death rituals. A set period of birth pollution takes place until the priest does a purification ritual and the newborn baby is named. They perform head shaving ceremonies for boys and girls. The Goriya dead are cremated and they have a thirteen-day death pollution period. Then there is a ceremony and they give a feast for the peace of the bereaved person.

What Are Their Needs?

The greatest need of Goriya people is to know God who created them who is almighty. They need to know that there is no god beside Him.

Prayer Points

Please pray that believers go to the Goriya in friendship and love and give them the gospel message.
Pray that existing churches will be strengthened by persecution, and they will soon reach Goryia people.