Introduction / History

The Basith people are mainly farmers, and most of them live in Jammu and Kashmir. They are Hindu, but not vegetarian. The men drink alcohol, which they buy at local markets. Never the less, they worship any Hindu gods, as well as their own clan deities. Relationships between men and women are slightly unusual. When there is a divorce, the man is responsible for the children. Daughters share in parental inheritance that usually only goes to sons. Women contribute to the family income by doing odd jobs, and enjoy equal status with men. Basith couples prefer small families with only about three children. Though the Basith speak a Pahari language with one another, they usually also speak Hindi or Urdu as a trade language with outsiders.
Pray for Pahari, Hindi, and Urdu materials to find their way into Basith communities. Pray for believers to use drama and storying techniques to teach them biblical messages.

References

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