Introduction / History

Meet the Oraon tribe who call themselves Kurukh, by the name taken from their hero-king Karakh. They speak languages such as Kurukh, Sadri and Hindi which are from the Dravidian family of languages. They write using the Devanagari script. The Oraon used to live south-west of the Ganges River but are now mainly concentrated in Chhotanagpur in Bihar and the adjoining areas of Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Tripura, Maharashtra, and Assam. A smaller number live further east in Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They are mainly settled cultivators and also work as wage laborers and industrial workers. Their staple cereal is rice, supplemented with maize, wheat, Madua and Gondli. Both men and women consume alcohol, and they also prepare rice beer at home. Generally, men chew tobacco and women smoke the Hookah. The Oraon have their traditional community council at the village level headed by a Mahto. They have a regional council known as the Parha composed of a number of villages.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Their main deity is taken as Dharmes, and they also believe in a host of spirits. A priest is invited to perform their life cycle rituals. An Ojiha or mati is specially called to cure diseases by appeasing evil spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kurux Oraon people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers them in John 10:10.

Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord to show himself loving and powerful by providing for the Kurux Oraon's needs. For the salvation of the Kurux Oraon people; that the disciples of Jesus among them may spread the good news to others. Pray for them to seek Jesus for healing from their sicknesses rather than using methods of witchcraft. Pray for Kurux Oraon men and women to be freed from alcohol and tobacco addiction.

Scripture Prayers for the Oraon, Kurux in Bangladesh.