The Bhand or Bhanr people get their name from the term in Sanskrit for 'jester' or bhanda. They are an occupational lower caste people who have been singers, dancers, actors and jesters since the days of feudal Kingdoms in India.
Today the Bhands are still known for their singing, dancing and story-telling in many areas of north and central India. The Damaleh Bhand in India are especially known for their folk-dance, folk-music and playing of the drum and flute. Most Bhand, however, can be found to have left their traditional occupation and moved into small business selling of household goods or toys. Being of a lower caste has forced some into rick-shaw pulling and begging for subsistance. The Bhands are Sunni Muslim and speak Maithili as well as Nepali and Urdu. Literacy is very low and many children are not able to attend school though the boys often attend some Islamic instruction.
Because of their prominent traditional position in the community in performing, the Bhand community ought to be more open to outside communication and likely the Gospel. Few have ever approached the Muslim Bhand in Nepal with the Gospel and consequently there are no known believers.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Global Prayer Digest: 2017-08-07 |
People Name General | Bhand (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Bhand (Muslim traditions) |
Population in India | 33,000 |
World Population | 43,900 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Unreached | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Alternate Names | Bhagat, Bhan, Bhand, Bhangat, Bhanr, Bhant, Kashmiri Bhand, Nakkal, Naqqal, Rana Bhand, भांड (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
People ID | 16423 |
ROP3 Code | 111574 |
Country | India | |||||||||
Region | South Asia | |||||||||
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 | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | South Asia |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 7 |
Uttar Pradesh 22,000 | |
Bihar 7,100 | |
Jharkhand 1,800 | |
Madhya Pradesh 1,300 | |
Maharashtra 1,100 | |
Jammu and Kashmir 300 | |
Uttarakhand 200 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.
Primary Language | Urdu (29,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 9 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
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Other People Groups | Speaking Urdu |
Primary Language | Urdu (29,000 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 9 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 3,200 | |
Magahi 400 | |
Maithili 300 | |
Kashmiri 300 | |
Awadhi 200 | |
Bengali 100 | |
Marwari 60 | |
Kanauji 50 | |
People Groups | Speaking Urdu |
Primary Language: Urdu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1747-1894) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1758-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1843-2016) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
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Amazon | National Bible Societies |
Forum of Bible Agencies | World Bible Finder |
Gospel Go | World Bibles |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament - Easy to Read (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament - Pakistan Bible Society (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Audio Recordings | Urdu Online Audio Bible |
Film / Video | A Gathering of the Followers of Isa (Indigitube.tv) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Urdu |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Greatest Sacrifice (Indigitube.tv) |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
Film / Video | The Prophets Story (Indigitube.tv) |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
General | God's Simple Plan |
General | Got Questions Ministry |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|