Introduction / History

The Bhil peoples are low on the social totem pole in Hindu India, which spills over into neighboring Pakistan where the caste system is still in effect despite Islam being the dominant religion. Most of the information on the Bhil peoples is about the Hindu Bhils in India, since there are many more of them in that country than in Pakistan.

Where Are they Located?

The Bhils are mostly in India, but those in Pakistan live in the Tharparkar District of Sindh Province.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bhils live mostly in rural areas, where many are migrant farm workers who follow the seasonal crops to bring extra income to their suffering families. In Pakistan many work for Muslim landowners. Wheat and millet are staple food crops, followed by rice, cotton lint, and corn. For the farmers, the arid land requires irrigation. Monsoon rains are the key to their existence.

The Bhil have lost much of their traditional culture, and the gospel can easily be seen as a way to replace their religion, one of the things they have left.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In India most Bhils are Hindu or animistic, but in Pakistan they mix Islam with traditional religion. There are many Hindus among the Bhil people in Pakistan. In the 1960s there was work among the Bhils that lasted for a couple of decades. We don't know if the fruit of this work is still in existence.

What Are Their Needs?

There is no future in being a landless farmer like many of these people are. The Bhil peoples in Pakistan need education that will help them get good jobs for today's job market.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers for the Bhil peoples in Pakistan.
Pray for a church planting movement among the Bhils in Pakistan.
Pray for the Bhil peoples to "gossip the gospel" to others, leading to Christ-followers in India and Pakistan.

Scripture Prayers for the Bhil in Pakistan.

References

http://www.evangelical-times.org/archive/item/983/Pakistan/Missionary-Spotlight---Pakistan---The-Marwari-Bhils-of-Pakistan/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhil_people
http://www. Prayway.com/unreached/peoplegroups1/712.html
http://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=6381

The Waiting World - The Bhil

Source:  The Waiting World      Download