Sabar in India
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Sabar |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 4,400 |
| World Population: | 4,400 |
| Primary Language: | Bengali |
| 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 Dalit - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Sabar or Saora of India are a small group of tribal people who live in the state of Tripura. During colonial times, the British classified the Sabar as a "criminal tribe." This bad reputation carries on to today. The other peoples living in Tripura shun the Sabar. The Sabar speak Bengali as their main language. Many Christian resources are available in Bengali including a whole Bible.
Where Are they Located?
The small Sabar tribe lives in the forests of Tripura, a state in northeastern India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
According to Wikipedia, the forest-dwelling Sabar lack experience in agriculture, and rely on the forests for their livelihood. Even by Indian standards, the Sabar are very poor. Their main sources of food are hunting and gathering in the forests. The Sabar are now living by aid from the Indian government and foreign agencies. A reporter from the website "Scroll In" visited the Sabar villages. He describes what he saw as tragic due to the malnourishment and illnesses among the people. The only things the Sabar owned were small wooden huts and a few household utensils. Their children were starving, sick and not attending school. The Sabar marry within their group. Few if any other Indian peoples would allow their young person to marry a Sabar.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Sabar people practice Hinduism heavily mixed with animism. They worship a couple of Hindu gods but rely mainly on the spirits their ancestors worshipped. They have their own shrines and priests.
What Are Their Needs?
The Sabar have major economic and spiritual needs. They need to see Christianity lives out before them in practical ways. They need schools for their children. They need a steady source of food and clean water. They need access to medical care. Most of all, the Sabar need to hear and respond to the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can give them hope for a better future in this life and the next.
Prayer Points
Pray for his kingdom to come and his will to be done among the Sabar people.
Pray for a movement of Sabar households accept the blessings of Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Sabar 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 Sabar people.
Pray the Sabar have their basic physical needs met.