Introduction / History

Even though the Marathis have both an oral and written history that dates back 2000 years, they only gained attention as a prominent people group in the 1600s. At that time a man named Shivaji and his warriors established the Maratha Empire. India's western state of Maharashtra is named after this people group. Technically Marathi is a language, though language often defines a people group.

During the days of the British Empire, the Brits sent Indian indentured servants to Zimbabwe, mostly in the 1800s. Some of these Indians spoke the Marathi language as do their great-grandchildren today.

21st century Marathis are living much better than the ones who first came to Zimbabwe. Marathis, and other peoples of Indian descent, are key players in Zimbabwe's economy.

Where Are they Located?

Like other urban peoples, the Marathis live in Harare and other urban centers in Zimbabwe.

What Are Their Lives Like?

From indentured servanthood with low pay and difficult labor, the Marathi speakers have risen to prominence in Zimbabwe's business community. They are far more wealthy than the African Zimbabweans.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Marathi people in Zimbabwe are Hindus, a religion which includes many deities and beliefs. Wealthy Hindus tend to use religion mainly as a way to maintain cohesiveness in their communities, and to gain good luck with their business ventures.

What Are Their Needs?

This relatively wealthy, well-educated community is still in need of the Savior, Jesus Christ. It will take special ambassadors of the King of kings to approach them in a way they can understand and accept.

Prayer Points

* Pray for the Lord to give the Marathi Hindus in Zimbabwe the spiritual discernment to understand that they need a savior, one who can be none other than Jesus.
* Pray that Marathis in Zimbabwe will soon experience the love of Christ and begin to follow Him as their Lord and Savior.
* Pray for a powerful church planting movement among Marathi speaking people to begin in Zimbabwe.

References

Profiles written by Global Prayer Digest
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13533/ZI
http://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=15664
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indians_in_Zimbabwe
http://indiandiaspora.nic.in/diasporapdf/chapter8.pdf