Bishnoi (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Bishnoi are a community of nature worshippers that live mainly in India, though some are further west in Pakistan. The guru who founded the sect directed the worship of lord Vishnu (Bishnu), hence the name Bishnoi. On one day in the year 1730, 363 Bishnoi individuals voluntarily gave up their own lives in order to spare the cutting of trees growing near their village. The first lady to resist the tree cutters said, "If a tree is saved even at the cost of one's head, it's worth it." The axe intended for the tree severed her head, the first of 363 sacrifices.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bishnoi people in Pakistan do not fit in with the general population in terms of their lifestyle or their religious beliefs. Pakistan does not welcome people outside the Islamic faith.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Bishnoi literally means 29. That's the number of rules given them by their founder in 1485. He saw a vision of the people destroying the environment. Their Hindu culture became intertwined with respect for nature. The rules encompass protecting animals, trees, and any type of life. Other rules cover social behavior—they don't lie or criticize others. There are also rules about personal hygiene and health—they don't smoke, drink alcohol or eat meat. Finally, there are rules about spiritual life that include fasting. They are forbidden from making animal sacrifices. The dung they use to fuel their fires is carefully inspected to ensure that no ants or other insects are incinerated.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bishnoi people in Pakistan need to find sustainable ways to earn a living.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit sent workers to go to the Bishnoi people, both in India and Pakistan. Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Bishnoi people so that they will be receptive to the teachings of Christ. Pray for a movement to Christ among the Bishnoi people this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Bishnoi (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bishnoi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bishnoi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation bish-NOY
Alternate Names Bishnoi; Bisnoi; Marwadi; Marwari; Vighiamal; Vishio; Vishnoi; Visro; Wisnoi; बिश्नोई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,700
Population all Countries 750,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16464
ROP3 Code 111628
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Punjab 1,700
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Saraiki (1,500 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Marwari (India)
200
Primary Language Saraiki (1,500 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Marwari (India) 200
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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