Paliya in India

Paliya
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Matyas Rehak - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Paliya
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 144,000
World Population: 248,000
Primary Language: Bengali
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Dalit - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Paliya are a scheduled caste, so they have low to middle status. They have three subgroups. They speak, read and write in Bengali. The Paliya people live in India's West Bengal state and further east in Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of them are landless. They work mainly in agriculture. Some are in business and there are some government workers among them. The Paliya are generally not well educated so the gospel will need to be given in oral form.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism is their religion. A Hindu might worship hundreds of gods or no god at all. They worship to gain merit and favor.

What Are Their Needs?

The Paliya people need the chance to hear and respond to Jesus Christ, the only one who can bridge the gap between God and man.

Prayer Points

Pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done among the Paliya people. Pray for a movement of Paliya households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Paliya people to the arms of Jesus. Pray for workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to the Paliya people.

Text Source:   Keith Carey