Agariya (Hindu traditions) in India

The Agariya (Hindu traditions) have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Agariya are one of the nine Munda-Santal tribes. Traditions regarding the origin of the Munda-Santal tribes are uncertain; but originally, a forested area of Chotanagpur (in eastern India) was ruled by chiefs of various tribes. Gradually, the British established their authority in the plains. The British colonialists had partial control over these tribes at that point. The Agariya name comes from the Hindi word for fire. For generations, they worked with furnaces as iron-smelters.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, the Agarias continue to work with metal. They manufacture agricultural tools such as axes, ploughshares and sickles. Many have turned to farming and raising livestock. Others specialize in making toys such as wooden masks for children. Their children begin working at an early age. Consequently, only 10 percent of the Agaria people are literate. Of late, however, education has taken on a more important role, and parents are making efforts to send their children to school. In 1950, the Indian Constitution granted caste-related privileges to the Agarias. The law established quotas in government jobs and higher education. Affirmative action created development programs. Nonetheless, some Agaria people have been prey to money-lenders and have not been able to afford amenities such as electricity. Munda-Santal tribes like the Agariyas are divided into clans who recognize a common ancestor. The clans often marry those who are from other tribes; however, there are smaller sub-tribes who are permitted to marry only those within their group. There is also a bachelor's dormitory, dhumkuria, in all Munda-Santal groups except the Juango. Tribal culture among the Agariya and other Munda-Santal tribes is quickly changing under the impact of industrialization, new communication links, tribal welfare schemes, and community development projects.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism is the official religion of the Agariyas, and Dulha Deo is the family god. They revere cattle. This tribe worships a sun god, "mother earth," and also a god of creation. On special days they will worship cultivation tools and swords. Agariyas often have a spiritual guide who whispers to them a sacred verse and is available for consultation.


What Are Their Needs?

The precious Agariya tribe is ripe unto harvest; they simply need people to show them the way back to the True God. Who will go?


Prayer Points

Pray that God will send culturally sensitive missionaries who will show them the way to the cross. Pray for a Christ-ward movement to flourish among this people group in the 2020s. Pray for the Agariya people to be blessed with peace, joy and spiritual prosperity as they follow Jesus Christ. Pray for the Lord to protect them from those who wish to exploit them economically.


Scripture Prayers for the Agariya (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Agariya (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Agariya (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation ah-gah-ree-YAH
Alternate Names Agar; Agaria; Agariya; Agharia; Agheria; Aghria; Godduka Patharia; Kelha Agaria; Khunti Chok; Lohar; Mahali Asur Agaria; Patharia; अगारिया (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 246,000
Population all Countries 246,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
People ID 16174
ROP3 Code 111276
ROP25 Code 309205
ROP25 Name Agariya / Agaria
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Chhattisgarh
80,000
Odisha
62,000
Madhya Pradesh
49,000
Uttar Pradesh
27,000
Jharkhand
20,000
Uttarakhand
3,800
Delhi
3,300
West Bengal
1,400
Maharashtra
200
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 9
  Chhattisgarh 80,000
  Odisha 62,000
  Madhya Pradesh 49,000
  Uttar Pradesh 27,000
  Jharkhand 20,000
  Uttarakhand 3,800
  Delhi 3,300
  West Bengal 1,400
  Maharashtra 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.29 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.60 %
Islam
0.08 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
1.02 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Agariya (76,000 speakers)
Language Code agi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 37
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
66,000
Odia
31,000
Chhattisgarhi
19,000
Sadri
4,300
Kui
2,300
Bhojpuri
1,700
Gondi, Northern
1,700
Bengali
1,400
Kumaoni
1,100
Garhwali
800
Magahi
500
Kurux
400
Awadhi
200
Ho
100
Punjabi, Eastern
90
Primary Language Agariya (76,000 speakers)
Language Code agi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 37
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 66,000
  Odia 31,000
  Chhattisgarhi 19,000
  Sadri 4,300
  Kui 2,300
  Bhojpuri 1,700
  Gondi, Northern 1,700
  Bengali 1,400
  Kumaoni 1,100
  Garhwali 800
  Magahi 500
  Kurux 400
  Awadhi 200
  Ho 100
  Punjabi, Eastern 90
People Groups Speaking Agariya

Primary Language:  Agariya

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Malcolm P Chapman - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024