Introduction / History

In northern India Hindi is the language of business, education, and journalism. It is close enough to Urdu that the two languages combined make up one of the world's largest languages. The term "Hindi" does not adequately describe the ethnic and social complexity of these people since it is merely a language distinction. In reality, the Hindi-speaking Indians are a collection of ethnic and social groups. They not only speak a common language, but also have a sense of "group identity" based on cultural and historical factors. Their language makes them distinctive, but in a Western nation like Canada they are likely to have social interactions with other South Asian language and ethnic groups, many of whom jokingly call themselves "desis."

Where Are they Located?

Most Hindi speakers are in northern India, but a small number have migrated to Western countries like Canada.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Typically those who leave India and migrate to Canada and the U. S. are those with a good education and high caste status. In their new countries Hindi speakers have set up Indian spice shops, video stores, and small commercial businesses in large cities. Hindi speakers are becoming more and more westernized. Today, many drink wine and eat every kind of meat except beef which is forbidden for Hindus. They are much more likely to wear Western clothes except on special occasions. The idea of arranged marriages becomes weaker with each generation of South Asians in Canada.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Hindi speakers practice Hinduism which is considered more a lifestyle than a religion. Hindus worship a pantheon of gods that are both good and evil. They believe that sacrifices and offerings must be regularly made to the gods to appease them and avoid calamity. Hinduism teaches that the soul never dies. When the body dies, the soul is reborn or "reincarnated." The soul may be reborn as an animal or as a human. The law of "karma" states that every action influences how the soul will be born in the next reincarnation. If a person lives a good life, the soul will be born into a higher state. If a person leads an evil life, the soul will be born into a lower state.

What Are Their Needs?

Hindi speakers have both the Bible and the JESUS Film available in their language. However, they need a spiritual revelation that will give them the desire for the pure holiness of Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for workers who are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit to go to the Hindi speakers of Canada. Pray for a desire for true holiness and blessings that will lead them to the foot of the cross. Pray for a disciple making movement among Hindi speakers and other South Asians in Canada.

Scripture Prayers for the Hindi in Canada.