Dera in India

The Dera have only been reported 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

The Dera people in Odisha are also called Dhera. They are Shudras, members of the servant caste.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Since they do not own land, the Dera people find edibles and natural weaving materials in the nearby forest. They are weavers who sell their merchandise for cash. Some of them own small businesses or work in the service industry.

They have several gotras, which are similar to clans.


What Are Their Beliefs?

As Hindus, the Dera worship any number of gods, especially Ganesh, Shiva, Narayana and the goddess Laxmi. They have their own regional god, Buddhima Thakurani. Families worship their household god together early in the morning and again in the evening. For weddings and other important ceremonies, they depend on Brahmin priests.


What Are Their Needs?

Like people everywhere, the Dera people need to allow the loving savior to direct their lives. They need his forgiveness for sin.


Prayer Points

Pray the Dera would see they can enjoy abundant life if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.

Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side and blessing them in every way.

Pray for Holy Spirit sent workers.

Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.

Pray for the birth of an unstoppable church planting movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Dera in India.


References

People of India, Vol 16. K.S. Singh. 2012


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Dera
People Name in Country Dera
Alternate Names Derawal; Dhera; Kanakuru; डेरा
Population this Country 4,000
Population all Countries 4,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11537
ROP3 Code 115510
ROP25 Code 302068
ROP25 Name Dhera
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 4,000
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 (4,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Odia (4,000 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
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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