The Dera people in Odisha are also called Dhera. They are Shudras, members of the servant caste.
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.
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.
Like people everywhere, the Dera people need to allow the loving savior to direct their lives. They need his forgiveness for sin.
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.
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 |
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 3,900 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
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. |