Oriya 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

Many Hindu castes in East India speak the Odia language. One of them is the Oriya people. The Oriya use the Oriya script for written communication. The Oriya claim to be some of the earliest settlers in Odisha state. The Oriya caste has two subgroups, Bendatiya and Kalandi. Each subgroup is divided into several clans and lineages with associated surnames. Most Oriya live in the east central Indian state of Odisha. The Oriya participated in many rebellions against British colonial rule.

Many resources are available in Odia including a complete Bible, the JESUS Film and radio programs. There are few if any Oriya believers.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Oriya caste members marry only within their own group, but often marry across clans. Vermilion (red or scarlet pigment) and glass bangles (bracelets) are the symbols of married women.

Most Oriya are involved with farming and the production of livestock. They use irrigation, chemical fertilizers and insecticides. Educated Oriya have become prominent politicians, judges, reformers, artists, and athletes.

The Odia language has a rich literary tradition going back over a thousand years. The Oriya celebrate their culture and history with dances and songs.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of the Oriya practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia. The primary deity of the Oriya is Shiva, the destroyer god. 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 do. 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Oriya must come to understand that Jesus Christ is not another guru or Hindu god. Jesus is the savior of the world. He alone can save the Oriya from their sins and give them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray Oriya believers will be led to sharing the gospel with their families and friends, leading to a movement.

Pray that many Oriya will be given a desire to know the creator God and will not be satisfied with the many Hindu gods.

Pray for the Lord to send out loving workers among the Oriya people.

Pray that the Lord will raise up a growing church among the Oriya in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Oriya in India.


References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Odia people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Oriya
People Name in Country Oriya
Alternate Names Orda; Uriya; ओरिया
Population this Country 40,000
Population all Countries 41,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17803
ROP3 Code 113276
ROP25 Code 306352
ROP25 Name Oriya
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 40,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (40,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Odia (40,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Odia

Primary Language:  Odia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1809-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1815-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Odia Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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