The Koli people are also called Dongar or Raj Koli. Generally 'Koli' means a fisherman but the Koli people's primary occupation is agriculture. The Mahadev Koli derive their name from their god Mahadev and live in the Mahadev hills of Maharashtra. They are found mostly in the Pune, Ahmednagar and Nasik districts of Maharashtra. They speak Marathi and use the Devanagari script. A smaller number live in Pakistan.
Their staple food consists of rice, nagli, varai and wheat. Other than fishing and agriculture, they are also involved in cattle production, dairy and poultry farming and wage labor as subsidiary occupations.
They resemble the Kunbi and the Maratha communities in matters of dress and appearance. They live in nuclear families.
Bride price plays an important part in the marriage. The marriage ceremony lasts for three to four days. They allow for divorce and remarriage. The dead are buried, but in some cases, cremation is also practiced.
There are twenty-four exogamous clans among the Mahadev Koli and they use their clan's names as their surnames. Members of each clan have their own deity. Most of the Mahadev Koli follow several Hindu traditions.
This people group needs literacy programs that will reach them at the grass roots level.
Pray for the salvation of the people of the Mahadev Koli community.
Pray more literacy and development programs.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers to take Christ to the Koli people in Pakistan.
Scripture Prayers for the Koli Mahadev in Pakistan.
India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Koli Mahadev |
People Name in Country | Koli Mahadev |
Natural Name | Mahadev Koli |
Pronunciation | mah-HAH-dev KOH-lee |
Alternate Names | Dongar; Dongar Koli; Maahadev; Mahadeo; Mahadew; Maideo; Raj Koli; कोली महादेव |
Population this Country | 29,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,015,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17210 |
ROP3 Code | 112576 |
ROP25 Code | 304135 |
ROP25 Name | Koli (ST) |
Country | Pakistan | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 2 | |||
Largest States |
|
Country | Pakistan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 2 |
Sindh 28,000 | |
Punjab 200 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
1.44 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.56 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Pakistan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Sindhi (23,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 8 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Sindhi (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 8 |
Secondary Languages | |
Dhatki 4,000 | |
Kacchi 700 | |
Koli, Parkari 400 | |
Saraiki 300 | |
Koli, Kachi 200 | |
Marwari (Pakistan) 200 | |
Gurgula 20 | |
People Groups | Speaking Sindhi |
Primary Language: Sindhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1890-1992) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |