The majority of Bagdi's three million people live in West Bengal, though some live further east in Bangladesh. There are 14 Bagdi sub-groups which are even further subdivided.
Most of them live by fishing and making fish nets. Some work as agricultural and masonry laborers. Few of them get more than a couple of years of education. However, some are beginning to advance in areas of economics and politics. The practice of Hinduism is a central part of their lives, which involves all rituals associated with birth, marriage and death. There are almost no known believers among the Bagdi people. The Bagdi peoples are very complicated. Though they are from a lower class, many in India believe that the Baghis are the descendants of a union between a Kshatriaya father and a Vaishya mother, both of which are forward castes.
The Bagdi people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. 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.
The Bagdi people have few opportunities to hear that Jesus Christ came to save sinners. They need anointed workers!
Pray that Bagdis will embrace salvation found in Jesus.
Pray that soon the Bagdi people will embrace the One whose fishermen disciples became fishers of men for the Almighty One.
Pray that Bengali believers will reach out to these Hindus.
Scripture Prayers for the Bagdi (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
