South Asian, general in British Virgin Islands

Introduction / History

There has been a South Asian diaspora in various parts of the world including a small number in the British Virgin Islands. Among them are Punjabi-speaking Sikhs, Muslims from Pakistan or Bangladesh and Hindus who speak a variety of languages: Tamil, Hindi, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, etc. Muslims usually speak either Urdu or Bengali. In the Caribbean nation of the British Virgin Islands, the majority of South Asians speak Hindi.

Some segments of the South Asian diaspora don't fit into any neat language category. Those we simply call, "South Asians" or "Indo-Pakistanis" since we are referring to people from either India, Bangladesh or Pakistan. Sometimes Bhutanese and Nepalis are lumped in as well since those countries are also in South Asia.

South Asians in the British Virgin Islands are also known as Indo-Caribbean. Their ancestors were usually indentured laborers who came in the 19th century.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are two general categories of people in the South Asian diaspora. Some have ancestors who arrived during the colonial era, usually working for low pay. Generations later South Asians are often involved in business. Others have ancestors who were merchants involved with international trade. These South Asians have deep roots in the host country.

The recent Diaspora is more likely to be in a different category. For decades India has produced highly trained techies for jobs that often don't exist in their country. South Asians with these skills take jobs in other parts of the world. They are welcome in the host country, and they adapt to the local language and culture. Other South Asian families who own grocery stores and restaurants. Some who come from a high-status community, like the Rajputs, have become truck drivers or cab drivers, but they are still earning far more than they would in South Asia.

Though there are special events for South Asians based on their language, they commonly come together as a group, even those who are "generic" South Asians. These gatherings might be cultural or religious. A Hindu might attend a Sikh event, for example, though they don’t adhere to the same religion. It would still be frowned upon to marry across religious lines.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In the British Virgin Islands, a little over one-third of the South Asians are Hindus. Hindus in the business community are often secularized. Commonly they do pujas (worship) of certain deities like Ganesh, the god whom they believe helps overcome obstacles. They might also worship Laksmi, the goddess of wealth. They often get together with other South Asian Hindus to worship as a cultural event. Their motivation is to bond with people with a similar culture or to gain favor from the gods.

There are almost as many Christians among the South Asian population in the British Virgin Islands as there are Hindus. Many of these are sincere Christ followers.

What Are Their Needs?

South Asians, be they Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, need to hear that Jesus Christ came to save sinful mankind. The message that we have offended the one true and living God is not popular; the gospel is offensive. If Christ-followers were willing to befriend South Asians, they could earn a hearing. It would take time and much prayer. Unfortunately, very few believers are willing to reach Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs even in a country like in the British Virgin Islands where there is freedom of religion. There are many South Asian Christians who can reach them for the only savior.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord's blessing of the South Asian diaspora and the work of their hands as a testimony of his goodness and power.
Pray for workers, filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, to go to the South Asians in the British Virgin Islands.
Pray for South Asians in the British Virgin Islands to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Pray for South Asians in the British Virgin Islands to begin a family-based movement to Christ that will bless them abundantly.

Text Source:   Joshua Project