Introduction / History

The Cherua people speak Oriya, the language of their home state of Orissa, located in eastern India. Most of them also speak Telegu, another major language of India. Their women have their own unique clothes, ornaments, and tattoos, which identify them as Cheruas. This people group uses the surname Patra, so if you meet someone by that name, ask them if they are from the Cherua community.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Family leaders arrange most Cherua marriages. They live in nuclear families. Most of them are either farmers or they take care of livestock. They sell milk, dairy products, and vegetables. Some of these Dalits are day laborers.

What Are Their Beliefs?

One hundred percent of the Cherua people are Hindu. As part of a puberty rite for girls, they worship the Hindu god Shiva seven days after she has her first period. They have oral traditions, which are related to Hindu sacred literature.

Prayer Points

* Pray that they will put away their Hindu gods and give thanks and praise solely to the God who created them.