Kuchbandia in India

The Kuchbandia 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 Kuchbandia or Kuchbandiya are a sub caste of the larger Kanjar peoples. They are a tribal people so other Hindus consider them to be low class. The British classified the Kuchbandia as a petty criminal caste. The Kuchbandia led a nomadic lifestyle until the 1950s when they began to settle down to live in permanent villages. With this reputation for illegal activity, Indian society tends to look down on the Kuchbandia. A recent newspaper article pointed out that many of their children do not have birth certificates so they are unable to go beyond grade five in government schools. The Kuchbandia often do not have a legal address so obtaining official documents is a challenge for them. Illiteracy is a major issue for the Kuchbandia.

The main language of the Kuchbandia is Hindi. They also speak regional languages where they live. Many Christian resources are available in Hindi including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film. The gospel will need to be presented to the Kuchbandia in oral and visual form.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Kuchbandia people live throughout western and central India. A tiny number of them live in Nepal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally, the Kuchbandia were nomadic hunter-gatherers. Now they often live in tents made of bamboo and reeds outside rural Indian villages. They gather reeds from which rope is made. Some men work with iron to make and fix tools. Many adults and children work as landless agricultural laborers. Most Kuchbandia do not have electricity, indoors plumbing or access to clean water or modern medicine. The life expectancy of the Kuchbandia people is far less than the average citizen of India.
Families arrange marriages. The Kuchbandia marry within their group. Newly married couples live with or near the groom parents. Sons inherit what little property their parents own. Since the Kuchbandia are low caste, they must employ their own priests and shamans. Village elders decide legal disputes.

The Kuchbandia are not vegetarians but as Hindus they will not eat beef. Meat is often reserved for special occasions. Their diet consists of rice, vegetables, and edible plants they can gather from the forest.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kuchbandia people practice Hinduism, heavily influenced by folk religion. They pay special reverence for Shiva, the destroyer god, Surya, the sun god and Durga, the mother goddess. 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 shrines 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.


What Are Their Needs?

As a poor tribal people, the Kuchbandia have many needs. They need help in educating their children. They need access to clean water and modern medicine. Solar panel could bring them electricity. They need to learn new job skills. Most of all, the Kuchbandia need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can free them from their spiritual poverty and forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Kuchbandia culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Kuchbandia family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Kuchbandia people.
Pray that soon the Kuchbandia people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Kuchbandia in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17307/NP
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/caught-in-time-warp-garibdas-watches-his-party-march-ahead/578191
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/kanjar-panchayat-turns-violent/659660


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kuchbandia
People Name in Country Kuchbandia
Alternate Names Chaang; Gihara; Kuchband; Kuchbandhiya; Monpa; Singhikat; Singikat; Targar; Tsono; कुचबंदिया
Population this Country 38,000
Population all Countries 38,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17307
ROP3 Code 112686
ROP25 Code 304314
ROP25 Name Kucbandhiya / Kuchbandia
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 7
Largest States
Madhya Pradesh
30,000
Rajasthan
3,400
Haryana
1,700
Punjab
1,500
Delhi
700
Maharashtra
600
Chandigarh
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 7
  Madhya Pradesh 30,000
  Rajasthan 3,400
  Haryana 1,700
  Punjab 1,500
  Delhi 700
  Maharashtra 600
  Chandigarh 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.11 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.81 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
1.08 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (27,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Bundeli
1,400
Punjabi, Eastern
1,300
Mewari
600
Marwari
600
Bagheli
500
Bagri
300
Haryanvi
300
Haroti
40
Dhundari
Chhattisgarhi
Primary Language Hindi (27,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Bundeli 1,400
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,300
  Mewari 600
  Marwari 600
  Bagheli 500
  Bagri 300
  Haryanvi 300
  Haroti 40
  Dhundari 10
  Chhattisgarhi 10
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)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
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 Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 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
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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