Bhumia in India

The Bhumia have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Bhumia scheduled tribe are also known as Bhumia Thakur to their neighbors. They live in Madya Pradesh, in the plains from Kami to Jabalpur. They are believed to be the early settlers in the Jabalpur region. The name Bhumia is connected to the word "bhumi" which means "land."

Operation World states, "India's ancient, complex, and often difficult t understand past, its racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic diversity, and the caste system, all make detailed population analysis very difficult."


Where Are they Located?

Bhumia people live in central India. They speak Jabalpuri and Hindu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Bhumia people are usually wage earners, and only a few of them are landowners. They work in the agricultural fields of the Bania Brahmin, Kayashta, and Rajput for wages, and they collect forest products. Some operate grocery shops. Illiteracy is not a problem among them.

Marriages with the daughter of the mother's brother and the daughter of the father's sister are allowed. All sons have equal shares in the property. Women are involved in many matters concerning money. Justice in society is looked after by a council of village elders. Many use family planning. Little progress has been made in education.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are partial Hindu believers, also worshiping ancestors, national, village, and clan gods.
They cremate the dead and perform death rites on the ninth or tenth day after death, then have a funeral feast.


What Are Their Needs?

Scripture resources are available in the Hindi language spoken by Bhumia people, however they are considered an unreached people group. They are largely independent and consequently do not see their need for the Savior. Their worship of many gods perhaps fills an emotional need, but cannot touch their genuine spiritual need.


Prayer Points

Pray that key Bhumia persons will become interested in Jesus via film, recordings, and radio which are available.
Pray that God will raise up Indian churches to boldly and lovingly evangelize this people group.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhumia in India.


References

Singh, K.S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z," Oxford University Press, USA 1999


Profile Source:   Karent Hightower  

People Name General Bhumia
People Name in Country Bhumia
Population this Country 188,000
Population all Countries 188,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
Alternate Names Baiga; Bhumia Thakur; Bhuri Bhumia; Bodo Bhumia; Thakur; भूमिया
People ID 16420
ROP3 Code 111571
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 4
Largest States
Odisha
150,000
Madhya Pradesh
36,000
Delhi
100
Andhra Pradesh
20
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 4
  Odisha 150,000
  Madhya Pradesh 36,000
  Delhi 100
  Andhra Pradesh 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.98 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.87 %
Islam
0.08 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.06 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (70,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 25
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
31,000
Bhatri
27,000
Chhattisgarhi
16,000
Pengo
8,500
Halbi
1,900
Bundeli
1,700
Desiya
900
Oriya, Adivasi
400
Mundari
300
Bagheli
100
Koya
100
Kannada
90
Marathi
70
Telugu
50
Punjabi, Eastern
50
Primary Language Odia (70,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 25
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 31,000
  Bhatri 27,000
  Chhattisgarhi 16,000
  Pengo 8,500
  Halbi 1,900
  Bundeli 1,700
  Desiya 900
  Oriya, Adivasi 400
  Mundari 300
  Bagheli 100
  Koya 100
  Kannada 90
  Marathi 70
  Telugu 50
  Punjabi, Eastern 50
People Groups Speaking Odia
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Karent Hightower  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more