Kolhati in India

The Kolhati 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 Kolhati are a nomadic caste that lives in western Indian. The word Kolhat comes from a word meaning bamboo pole, which they use for jumping. During the British period they were classified as a vagrant and criminal class. One British account has Kolhati men hunting wild boars with only spears and dogs, an act which takes considerable courage. The wild pigs do much damage to crops so the farmers would hire Kolhati men to decrease the local boar population. A successful hunt would also provide a feast for the village.

The traditional occupation of the Kolhati was as traveling entertainers. They would play music, sing, dance, perform dramas and do acrobatics for rural villages for Hindu holidays and family celebrations. Women would tell fortunes at the villages where the Kolhati visited.

The main language of the Kolhati is Marathi. Many also speak Hindi, Kannada and Gujarati, which allow them to conduct business with outsiders. Many Christian resources are available in Marathi including the whole Bible and JESUS Film. Since many Kolhati are unable to read, the gospel will need to be presented to them in visual and audio form.


Where Are they Located?

The Kolhati are a Hindu people living mainly in Maharashtra, a state in western India. A smaller group resides in Karnataka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Now many Kolhati are employed as landless agricultural laborers. They still perform at Hindu temples although this is no longer their man source of income. Their women and girls are known for tamasha, a Marathi dance which combines singing and drama.
The Kolhati marry within their group with families arranging marriages. Sons inherit property with the eldest son becoming head of the family upon the death of his father. A caste council promotes their interests and settles legal disputes.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kolhati people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They pay special reverence to Vishnu, the preserver god. 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. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

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


What Are Their Needs?

Being a nomadic group presents many problems for the Kolhati. Often Kolhati children are unable to attend school on a regular basis. They need to learn new job skills so they can improve their standard of living and overcome their reputation as thieves. Most of all, the Kolhati need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and get them right with the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Kolhati people that will transform them to be more like Christ.
Pray for the Kolhati people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Kolhati people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Kolhati disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Kolhati communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Kolhati in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolhati
https://www.dalitweb.org/?p=2556
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqpex3A1O30
http://www.indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Kolhati
https://www.tumblr.com/search/kolhati%20women


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kolhati
People Name in Country Kolhati
Alternate Names Badia; Beaja; Biria; Dombani; Dombari; Dukar; Kelkari; Khelkari; Kolhatigi; Kolthati; कोलहती
Population this Country 34,000
Population all Countries 34,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17246
ROP3 Code 112614
ROP25 Code 304133
ROP25 Name Kolhati
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 4
Largest States
Maharashtra
32,000
Karnataka
1,500
Madhya Pradesh
600
Goa
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 4
  Maharashtra 32,000
  Karnataka 1,500
  Madhya Pradesh 600
  Goa 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.21 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.79 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (24,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Kannada
1,100
Hindi
1,100
Ahirani
1,000
Gujarati
800
Konkani
400
Khandesi
200
Konkani, Goan
100
Nimadi
100
Primary Language Marathi (24,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Kannada 1,100
  Hindi 1,100
  Ahirani 1,000
  Gujarati 800
  Konkani 400
  Khandesi 200
  Konkani, Goan 100
  Nimadi 100
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Marathi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
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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