Introduction / History

The 6,700 Bhanumatis were traditionally magicians and tight-rope walkers. Through the years they lost the financial patronage from feudal chiefs. Today they are engaged in both agricultural and non-agricultural work. Women often work as day laborers, but sadly, it is very common for unmarried Bhanumati girls to engage in prostitution. Though this line of "work" is socially approved in their communities, they pay a high price for it. Bhanumati prostitutes must live in separate houses with their illegitimate children. Only midwifes from their own community will deliver babies born to prostitutes, since women from other communities will not deliver an illegitimate child.

Among their own community, they speak Malvi, but they use Hindi when communicating with outsiders. They have less contact with other communities than most Dalit groups.

Where Are they Located?

Though they are from the Rajasthani people group cluster, most of them live either in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh than in the state of Rajasthan.

Prayer Points

Their isolation from other communities may prove to be a challenge to taking the gospel to them. Pray for the Lord to make a way for Bhanumati people to find and embrace their true Savior.

References

Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)