Bazigar (Hindu traditions) in India

The Bazigar (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 HJindu Bazigar or Goaar live across many areas of India. Their name comes from the Urdu word "bazi" which means acrobat. The traditional occupation of the Bazigar was that of being acrobats, dancers, musicians, jugglers and wrestlers. The Bazigar would travel from village to village. They would hire themselves out as farm agricultural laborers. They would also perform at festivals and holidays as dancers, drummers and acrobats. They would perform for Hindu, Muslim and Sikh villages.

Today less than one out of five Bazigars engage in the itinerate lifestyle. Most have settled down and work in agriculture. They still like to dance, sing, play music and do feats of strength and agility. The Bazigars have been classified as a Scheduled Caste due to their low level of education. In 1981, only 11% of the Bazigar could read and write. Illiteracy continues to be a problem for them today.

The primary languages of the Bazigar are Telugu, Hindi, Eastern Punjabi and Tamil. They also speak other regional Indian languages.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Bazigar mostly live in the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Haryana.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Bazigar now work in agriculture as laborers. They also work as shopkeepers, public officials and grocers. They raise goats and sheep for their meat and milk. Theyt do not eat beef or pork. Many Bazigar still have musical and athletic skills, which they perform at important family events and holidays.

The Bazigar marry within their community. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit property with the eldest son gaining possession of the family home. Caste councils promote their interests and settle legal disputes.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Bazigar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Bazigar visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Bazigar people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

There are small groups of Muslim and Sikh Bazigars


What Are Their Needs?

The Bazigar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need help in educating their children and in learning new job skills. They need to see Christianity lived out before them in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord sends workers to the Bazigar to tell them about Jesus and His love for them.
Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Bazigar families and communities into a rich experience of God's blessings.
Pray the Bazigar people will understand that Jesus desires to bless their families and communities, not harm them.


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


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazigar
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.692.2886&rep=rep1&type=pdf


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bazigar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bazigar (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bajgi; Bajikar; Bajkar; Bazigar; Bejkar; Harijan; Jamuni; Madari; Medari; Mehdri; Modak; Nat; Qalandar; Shilpkar Bajgi; Sirkiband; Sirkibaz; बाज़ीगर (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 389,000
Population all Countries 389,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 8
People ID 16351
ROP3 Code 111489
ROP25 Code 300732
ROP25 Name Bazigar
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 15
Largest States
Punjab
184,000
Haryana
150,000
Rajasthan
39,000
Odisha
5,000
Maharashtra
4,600
Himachal Pradesh
2,800
Chandigarh
2,000
Delhi
300
West Bengal
300
Gujarat
300
Madhya Pradesh
200
Chhattisgarh
200
Uttar Pradesh
200
Uttarakhand
200
Andaman and Nicobar
100
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 15
  Punjab 184,000
  Haryana 150,000
  Rajasthan 39,000
  Odisha 5,000
  Maharashtra 4,600
  Himachal Pradesh 2,800
  Chandigarh 2,000
  Delhi 300
  West Bengal 300
  Gujarat 300
  Madhya Pradesh 200
  Chhattisgarh 200
  Uttar Pradesh 200
  Uttarakhand 200
  Andaman and Nicobar 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.50 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.44 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (144,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
139,000
Bagri
17,000
Haryanvi
13,000
Odia
4,200
Bazigar
3,700
Marwari
3,700
Shekhawati
1,000
Kangri
900
Konkani
700
Marathi
600
Bengali
200
Gujarati
200
Chhattisgarhi
100
Bilaspuri
80
Kumaoni
40
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (144,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 139,000
  Bagri 17,000
  Haryanvi 13,000
  Odia 4,200
  Bazigar 3,700
  Marwari 3,700
  Shekhawati 1,000
  Kangri 900
  Konkani 700
  Marathi 600
  Bengali 200
  Gujarati 200
  Chhattisgarhi 100
  Bilaspuri 80
  Kumaoni 40
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
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Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
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Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
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Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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