Didayi in India

The Didayi have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Odisha is one of the most beautiful regions of Eastern India, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. The main charm of the state lies in its exotic sandy beaches, plenteous wildlife, laid-back lifestyle and temples famous for their architectural splendor. The attractions of this state have yet to be fully explored. Another lure of Odisha lies in its tribal population consisting of more than 62 tribal communities. Geographically, the state encompasses the hilly terrain of the Eastern Ghats, where most tribes dwell, and a beautiful stretch of the Indo-Aryan coast where a more modern way of life is to be found. A blend of distinct civilizations with contrasting cultures, beautiful landscapes, beaches and rich wildlife, offers the best of India to its visitors.

The Didayi are one among the many tribal communities in Odisha, concentrated mostly in the Koraput district.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Agriculture is the main occupation of the Didayi. They are a hard working community, cultivating the slopes of the mountains they live on. They also collect fruit and wood from the jungle and sell it in nearby markets. Drinking locally-made alcohol or home-brewed rice beer and dancing through the night are distinctive features of their cultural life. The generally timid Didayi take pleasure in hunting animals and birds with the help of a bow and arrow. They lag behind many other tribes in the Koraput district with respect to education. There are many government schools and institutions in the region to promote education, but the Didayi generally have not seen the need for education. Very often they migrate to other parts of the state in search of work, as educating their children is not important in their view.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are animists by faith, with a small percentage following Hinduism. There are several Christian ministries working in their region. The Word of God is not available in the Didayi language, but there is great need of it for the development of the Church among the Didayi.


What Are Their Needs?

The Didayi people need a John 10:10 blessing: The abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Didayi culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among their family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.

Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Didayi people.

Pray that soon the Didayi people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the only savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Didayi in India.


References

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQleRvjrhIo


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Didayi
People Name in Country Didayi
Alternate Names Didayi Poroja; Didei; Didoi; Didoyi; Didoyi Porja; Dire; Dur Poroja; Gataq; Gutra; दीदाई
Population this Country 13,000
Population all Countries 13,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16719
ROP3 Code 111958
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
Odisha
11,000
Andhra Pradesh
1,300
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
  Odisha 11,000
  Andhra Pradesh 1,300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.48 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.23 %
Islam
0.10 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.04 %
Unknown
0.14 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gata' (9,200 speakers)
Language Code gaq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Odia
1,100
Telugu
1,000
Hindi
200
Santhali
30
Kui (India)
20
Gujarati
20
Koya Oriya, Adivasi Kuvi
Primary Language Gata' (9,200 speakers)
Language Code gaq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Odia 1,100
  Telugu 1,000
  Hindi 200
  Santhali 30
  Kui (India) 20
  Gujarati 20
  Koya 10
  Oriya, Adivasi 10
  Kuvi 0
People Groups Speaking Gata'
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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