Hijda in India

The Hijda 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 Hijra (or Hijda) are a community of eunuchs who usually dress like women. They give themselves female names and identify with being a "third gender." For centuries the hijras, very much alive and growing today, has been a traditional order in the Hindu priesthood. There are even anthropological studies of the hijras. In Gujarat the Hijra speak Gujarati and Hindi and read and write in Devanagari. In Madhya Pradesh the Hijra live in Indore.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are a religious and social part of India's life, performing ceremonies at weddings and births with rites that include dancing and playing drums. They are often used as prostitutes. They are noted for their aggressive begging, and people comply because they believe that if they don't, a hijra's curse will cause them hardship. Some volunteered to become eunuchs while others were forced into it, often as children. Many of them smoke. The Hijras are rejected and feared by most partly because of their aggressive begging and partly because of their strange lifestyle. Hijras have been known to be brutally beaten in places like prisons, police stations and homes. They have the Hijra Kalyan Sabha and the Dai Welfare Society to look after their interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

There are Muslims and Hindus among them. They perform rituals and are under the authority of their own gurus. They identify with the Lord Krishna whom legend has it, transformed himself into a woman. Hijras are called upon to bring blessings to weddings and at the birth of newborns. They believe they are transforming their sexual energy into sacred powers.


What Are Their Needs?

The Hijras need to seek and find God's purpose for their lives.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give Hijras the willingness to turn and follow the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Pray that God will give the Hijra dreams and visions leading them to Jesus Christ. Pray that the Hijra community council leaders will come to Jesus Christ and lead others to a movement to Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Hijda in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Hijda
People Name in Country Hijda
Alternate Names Brihannala; Chhaki; Fatada; Hijra; Khoja; Khojo; Khuna; Khunsa; Khusra; Kusra; Mukhamas; Mukhanna; Paraiya; Pavaiya; Pavaya; Sikhandi; Susra; हिजड़ा
Population this Country 211,000
Population all Countries 211,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
People ID 16925
ROP3 Code 112223
ROP25 Code 303029
ROP25 Name Hijra
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 8
Largest States
Maharashtra
195,000
Uttar Pradesh
7,700
Gujarat
3,500
Bihar
3,000
Madhya Pradesh
600
Uttarakhand
600
Rajasthan
300
Telangana
20
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 8
  Maharashtra 195,000
  Uttar Pradesh 7,700
  Gujarat 3,500
  Bihar 3,000
  Madhya Pradesh 600
  Uttarakhand 600
  Rajasthan 300
  Telangana 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
88.11 %
Islam
11.89 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (76,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Marathi
73,000
Urdu
15,000
Gujarati
9,400
Konkani
4,600
Bhojpuri
400
Telugu
20
Primary Language Hindi (76,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Marathi 73,000
  Urdu 15,000
  Gujarati 9,400
  Konkani 4,600
  Bhojpuri 400
  Telugu 20
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source Adam Jones - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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