Sama Sindhi 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 Sama Sindhi is a small group of Muslims who live in west India. The vast majority of Muslim Sindhi moved to Pakistan during the Partition of 1947. Equal numbers of Hindi and Sikh Sindhi immigrated to India. The word Sindhi comes from the Persian word meaning those who inhabit the Indus Valley. All Sindhi were originally Hindu or Buddhist. In the early 8th century, many of these people converted to Islam with the coming of the Muslim armies. The Sindhi Sama claim to be descendants of the rulers of the Samma Dynasty. This royal family reigned over the Indus Valley and west India from the 14th to early 16th century.

Today the Sindhi are employed in many industries including entertainment, science and technology, journalism, politics, education and law.

The main languages of the Sindhi Sama in India are Kacchi and Sindhi.


Where Are they Located?

The Sama Sindhi live in the Indian States of Gujarat and Rajastan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sama Sindhi live diverse lives. Some are educated and occupy places of leadership and prominence in society. Others live traditional lives of pastoralists taking care of their animals. Some are farmers who live in rural villages like their ancestors.

The Sama Sindhi marry only within their group. Some Sindhi choose their own spouses, while for others families arrange marriages. Muslim priests officiate at important family event like births, weddings and funerals. Sons inherit property from their fathers. The Sindhi bury their dead.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Sama Sindhi are Sunni Muslims. They have been strongly influenced by Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam. Islam is a major world religion that is based on five essential duties or "pillars": (1) A Muslim must affirm that "there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." (2) Five times a day he must pray while facing Mecca. (3) He must give an obligatory percentage (very similar to tithes) on an annual basis. (4) He must fast during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year. (5) He must try to make at least one pilgrimage to Mecca in his lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sama Sindhi need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. Sindhi who live in a rural setting need help in educating their children and in learning new job skills.


Prayer Points

Pray for Sindhi families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and his finished work.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through those ministering to the Sindhi people.
Ask God to deliver families and communities within the Sama Sindhi people from fears that hinder them from embracing His blessings.


Scripture Prayers for the Sindhi Sama in India.


References

globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2010/10/13
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sindhis


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Sindhi Sama
People Name in Country Sindhi Sama
Natural Name Sama Sindhi
Pronunciation SAH-muh SIN-dee
Alternate Names Chuda Samma; Dungar Summa; Gha Samma; Saheb Samma; Samma; सिंधी समा
Population this Country 1,300
Population all Countries 1,594,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18164
ROP3 Code 113676
ROP25 Code 307543
ROP25 Name Sindhi Sama
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 2
Largest States
Gujarat
800
Rajasthan
500
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 2
  Gujarat 800
  Rajasthan 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Kacchi (700 speakers)
Language Code kfr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Sindhi
400
Primary Language Kacchi (700 speakers)
Language Code kfr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Sindhi 400
People Groups Speaking Kacchi

Primary Language:  Kacchi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2013)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010-2013)
Bible-Complete No
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 Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Kacchi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source FD productions - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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