The Bharbhunja have their name from their traditional occupation of roasting grains. "Bharbhunja" means frying pan or one who roasts grain in Sanskrit. Some Bharbhunja claim they are descendants of Brahmin or Kshatriya, the two highest castes of Hinduism but other castes place them in the fourth or lowest caste.
The Bharbhunja buy grain from other agricultural castes, then roast or parch it to sell this grain to others. The parched grain can serve as a snack or as food for travelers or soldiers. The roasted grain is lighter in weight and lasts longer than uncooked grain.
Besides roasting grain, the Bharbhunja own roadside restaurants, work as laborers and run small businesses. Some Bharbhunja have taken advantage of the Indian educational system and become professionals, doctors, teachers and engineers.
The primary languages of the Bharbhunja are the regional languages of where they live. Over half of them speak Hindi so they can communicate with other Indian peoples.
The vast majority of the Bharbhunja live in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Some also live in other states of north and central India.
The lives of the Bharbhunja depend on their level of education. Most still live in rural areas where modern conveniences do not exist. Electricity, indoor plumbing and access to clean water are the exceptions not the rule. Children often work along side their parents and receive only a minimal education
The Bharbhunja practice clan exogamy, that is they marry within their caste but not within their family or clan. Parents arrange marriages. Brahmin priests perform the weddings and other important life rituals. Sons inherit property from their parents. Child marriage was previously common but this custom has been largely replaced by adult marriage.
Bharbhunja are not vegetarians. They do refrain from eating beef. Their diet consists mainly of rice, wheat, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and dairy products. Some of their men drink country liquor and smoke tobacco.
The Bharbhunja are Hindu, the ancient religion and culture of India. They worship and serve the many gods of the Hindu pantheon. They also worship their own clan, village and family deities. As Hindus they observe the yearly holidays of Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the nine-day festival of autumn and Maha Sivaratri, the celebration in honor of the god Shiva in late winter.
The Hindu Bharbhunja people need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to realize that Shiva and the gods of Hinduism will never satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts or forgive their sins.
Pray the Lord sends Christian workers to the Bharbhunja who will show them the love and mercy of Christ.
Pray that Indian Christians would reach out to the Bharbhunja with the gospel.
Pray that the Lord wins some Bharbhunja to Himself and that Bible-believing churches begin among them.
Scripture Prayers for the Bharbhunja (Hindu traditions) in India.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharbhunja_(Hindu)
peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/bharbhunja/
Profile Source: David Kugel |
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-10-17 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2020-05-16 |
People Name General | Bharbhunja (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Bharbhunja (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | bar-BOON-jah |
Alternate Names | Barjuba; Bhad Bhunjari; Bhadbhuja; Bhadbhunja; Bhade; Bhaduja; Bharbhuja; Bharbhunja; Bharbuja; Bhere; Bhooj; Bhuj; Bhuj Bhujar; Bhuja; Bhujari; Bhujawala; Bhuji; Bhujua; Bhunj; Bhunja; Bhunjia; Bhurji; Gour; Kalenera; Kandu; Kashodhay; Mehre; Mere; भरभूंजा (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 1,447,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,448,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 29 |
People ID | 16412 |
ROP3 Code | 111563 |
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 on file | 21 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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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 | 21 (only 20 largest shown) |
Uttar Pradesh 1,311,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 43,000 | |
Uttarakhand 19,000 | |
Chhattisgarh 15,000 | |
Delhi 13,000 | |
Maharashtra 5,300 | |
Bihar 4,600 | |
Haryana 4,000 | |
West Bengal 3,500 | |
Rajasthan 2,100 | |
Gujarat 2,100 | |
Telangana 1,000 | |
Karnataka 700 | |
Chandigarh 300 | |
Punjab 300 | |
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 | Hindi (802,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 23 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (802,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 23 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Bhojpuri 136,000 | |
Awadhi 133,000 | |
Kanauji 93,000 | |
Bagheli 8,800 | |
Chhattisgarhi 7,000 | |
Garhwali 5,500 | |
Gujarati 5,000 | |
Bundeli 4,900 | |
Kumaoni 3,900 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 2,400 | |
Bengali 1,400 | |
Malvi 700 | |
Marathi 600 | |
Braj Bhasha 500 | |
Nimadi 400 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1818-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | David Kugel |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |