Introduction / History

The Kunbi (alternate names of Reddi and Desai) are a prominent community of Gujarat. Traditionally the Reddy belong to the fourth of the Hindu Varnas, Sudra. One section of the Reddy is called Kapu which means guardian.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The traditional occupation of most of the Reddy groups is settled farming, followed by animal husbandry and paid labor. The majority of the Kunbi communities are non-vegetarian, and all the communities take rice as their staple cereal. Jowar, wheat, bajra and ragi are the other cereals they eat.
The Kunbi community have social divisions such as clans, lineage, subcastes and sects. These social divisions regulate marital alliances. They speak the Kannada and Telugu languages.
Among the Kunbi people, cross-cousin marriages are allowed. Widow remarriage is not permitted. Being a dominant community, the Reddy have been primarily landlords and landholders. Social control is regulated through traditional caste and village councils.
The Kunbi fear Christianity as an invading religious system to their families and communities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are Hindu by faith and worship many deities. Their main festivals are Ugadi, Akshade and Dussehra. They play bhajans and kirtans.

What Are Their Needs?

Both men and women smoke a homemade cheroot (chutta) which results in a high incidence of mouth and throat cancer.

Prayer Points

For that God will send several Christian workers to work among them to meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray for the Kunbi Christians to reach out to their own people.
Pray that their men and women will give up smoking.

Scripture Prayers for the Kunbi (Hindu traditions) in India.

References

India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission