Odisha Gandia in India

The Odisha Gandia 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 Koya live along the banks of the River Godavari in the Kammam district of Andhra Pradesh. They are also found in the states of Orissa and Chattisgarh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are mainly agriculturalists but also work as daily labourers when they do not have work in their fields. They used to be isolated, but of late they are slowly merging with mainstream Indian society and are seeing much development.

The Koya love socialising. They make use of every opportunity to meet their friends and relatives. A weekly market in each locality draws many people for this purpose, not just for selling and buying. Young boys and girls also use these socialising events to choose their life partners.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Koyas were originally animistic in faith, but now take pride in a Hindu identity. During the early years of Christian work among the Koya, those who became Christians faced much opposition from the community. Actions against them included excommunication from the community and denial of access to the water source. Over a period of time, Christian Koya became accepted, though they mingle with others only during social gatherings, not for Koya religious festivals.

Several Christian organisations are working among the Koya, providing literacy, medical and community development services along with evangelistic outreach. Several Koya churches have been established and many Koya Christians are being equipped through short-term Bible Schools to be evangelists in their own community.

The New Testament is translated and available in the Koya language. Old Testament translation is in progress. Koya songs and study materials are resources also available as audio cassettes and CDs. Although there are many Koya Christian workers and resources, many more Christian workers are needed. Pray that God will send additional workers for the growing ministry among the Koya.


What Are Their Needs?

The Government has done much to improve the living conditions of Koyas. Their traditional mud houses with thatched roofs have been replaced by tiled or concrete roofed houses and some have their own private toilet facilities.


Prayer Points

Effective use of the translated New Testament in Koya churches and in the personal lives of Koya Christians.
Completion and distribution of audio recordings of the Koya New Testament.
The trial printing of the Book of Psalms.
A training facility for mother tongue translators for the OT project.
The literacy classes to increase reading of Scripture personally and in the churches.


Scripture Prayers for the Gandia Odisha in India.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Gandia Odisha
People Name in Country Gandia Odisha
Natural Name Odisha Gandia
Alternate Names गंदिया, वडिषा
Population this Country 4,100
Population all Countries 4,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19045
ROP3 Code 115101
ROP25 Code 302551
ROP25 Name Gandia
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)
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 1
  Odisha 4,100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
2.18 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.65 %
Islam
0.14 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.03 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Koya (1,500 speakers)
Language Code kff   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Gondi, Northern
600
Odia
600
Oriya, Adivasi
400
Hindi
100
Kharia
100
Gadaba, Bodo
20
Duruwa
20
Juang
10
Ho
Gadaba, Pottangi Ollar Mundari Naga, Inpui
Kuvi Kolami, Southeastern Bengali
Primary Language Koya (1,500 speakers)
Language Code kff   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Gondi, Northern 600
  Odia 600
  Oriya, Adivasi 400
  Hindi 100
  Kharia 100
  Gadaba, Bodo 20
  Duruwa 20
  Juang 10
  Ho 10
  Gadaba, Pottangi Ollar 10
  Mundari 10
  Naga, Inpui 0
  Kuvi 0
  Kolami, Southeastern 0
  Bengali 0
People Groups Speaking Koya
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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