Pasi (Hindu traditions) 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 legend about the origin of the community is that one day a man was going to kill a number of cows. Parashuram was at that time practicing austerities in the jungle. Hearing the cries of the sacred animals he rushed to their assistance, but the cow killer was aided by his friends. So Parashuram made five men out of kusha grass and brought them to life by letting drops of his perspiration fall upon them. Hence arose the name Pasi, from the Hindi pasina (sweat). The Pasi community is especially numerous in India, but they also live in Bangladesh and Nepal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Despite this flattering legend, the Pasi people have low status in South Asia, especially among other Hindus. They have "untouchable" status, which is very low. Their occupation involves producing toddy, an alcoholic beverage. Both Hindus and Muslims frown on the use of alcohol, but there is a demand. The Pasi community may at one time herded pigs, a profession that would give them low status among Muslims.


This community speaks a number of languages, so they might need separate church planting projects for each language group.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pasi people practice Hinduism, which has left its mark in all countries of South Asia. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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?

This community speaks a number of languages. Separate church planting projects may be needed for each language group. Stories from Scripture, films, recordings, and gospel radio for each language spoken by the Pasi community will be helpful.


Prayer Points

May God overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of his gospel among the Pasi community. Pray for the followers of Christ that will soon develop within the Pasi community, that the Lord will provide pastors and teachers for them, and for them to become well-grounded in the faith, fully trusting in Christ. Pray the Pasi community will increasingly be aware of their need to know and follow the creator God.


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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pasi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Pasi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation PAH-see
Alternate Names Byadha; Gaiduha; Passi; Tarmali; Trisuliya; पासी (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 5,864,000
Population all Countries 5,875,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 117
People ID 17852
ROP3 Code 113327
ROP25 Code 306586
ROP25 Name Pasi
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 20
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
6,529,000
Bihar
864,000
Jharkhand
72,000
Delhi
59,000
Madhya Pradesh
55,000
Haryana
51,000
Punjab
39,000
West Bengal
30,000
Maharashtra
24,000
Chandigarh
21,000
Uttarakhand
19,000
Tripura
6,400
Chhattisgarh
4,600
Gujarat
4,100
Rajasthan
4,000
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 20
  Uttar Pradesh 6,529,000
  Bihar 864,000
  Jharkhand 72,000
  Delhi 59,000
  Madhya Pradesh 55,000
  Haryana 51,000
  Punjab 39,000
  West Bengal 30,000
  Maharashtra 24,000
  Chandigarh 21,000
  Uttarakhand 19,000
  Tripura 6,400
  Chhattisgarh 4,600
  Gujarat 4,100
  Rajasthan 4,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.16 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.08 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.70 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.06 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (5,221,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 26
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Awadhi
939,000
Bhojpuri
811,000
Kanauji
366,000
Magahi
161,000
Bundeli
112,000
Maithili
46,000
Punjabi, Eastern
36,000
Bengali
35,000
Marathi
20,000
Garhwali
8,800
Haryanvi
7,900
Angika
5,200
Malvi
4,100
Gujarati
3,500
Chhattisgarhi
3,300
Primary Language Hindi (5,221,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 26
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Awadhi 939,000
  Bhojpuri 811,000
  Kanauji 366,000
  Magahi 161,000
  Bundeli 112,000
  Maithili 46,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 36,000
  Bengali 35,000
  Marathi 20,000
  Garhwali 8,800
  Haryanvi 7,900
  Angika 5,200
  Malvi 4,100
  Gujarati 3,500
  Chhattisgarhi 3,300
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
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.



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