Rathawa in Pakistan

People Name:	Rathawa
Country:	Pakistan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	9,300
World Population:	782,300
Primary Language:	Sindhi
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	2.69 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Tribal - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

This low status people get their name from the word rathbistar, which means an inhabitant of a forest or hilly region.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Where the Hindu Rathawa build their homes are determined by some unusual practices. They won't build homes near a tamarind tree since they think these are haunted by spirits. Instead, they build their settlements near a grove of palm trees. They usually build their houses with no windows, and on elevated ground to prevent flooding.
Rathawas generally act friendly with outsiders. They honor their guests by serving them food in their kitchen. Believers could use this as a great time to tell stories of Jesus!

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rathawa people in Pakistan practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism acts as 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 possess a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. Other Hindus, like the Brahmins, practice a more philosophical form Hinduism.
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 Rathawa in Pakistan need workers to go to them to share the gospel in their language and within their culture.

Prayer Points

Pray for Rathawa believers to be filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit so they can live victorious lives.
Pray for workers to go to the Rathawa people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.
Pray for the translation of the Bible and other resources into their language and distributed in Pakistan.
Pray for Sindhi speaking Rathawa in Pakistan to have the Sindhi Bible and other resources made available to them.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Rathawa church in both Pakistan and India.