Dhanka in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Dhanka are also known as Dhankia. They are a sub-division of India's Bhil tribes.
In the past, the Dhanka were forest hunters or engaged in the services of landowners as farmers or soldier guards. Nearly 70% of the Dhanka migrated to cities by 1960.
Over 90% of the Dhanka are Hindus, but small numbers are Muslims or Christians. Over half of the Dhanka live in Gujarat state with smaller populations in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and a small population in Madhya Pradesh. An even smaller number are further west in neighboring Pakistan. Those in Pakistan speak Sindhi rather than Gujarati.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They no longer have any land for agriculture and after migrating into the cities and they no longer have farming skills. The Dhanka often work in electricity and water works departments. Dhanka only marry within their community.
Although the Dhanka are known as hard workers, they are often very poor.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In both India and Pakistan, the Dhanka people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Dhanka people need the Holy Spirit to open their eyes so they can see Jesus as he is.


Prayer Points

Pray for many from this unreached people group to understand both God's judgment and his majestic glory.
Pray for loving workers to go to the Dhanka people in India, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that result in thousands of new disciples who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhanka


Scripture Prayers for the Dhanka in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Dhanka
People Name in Country Dhanka
Alternate Names Dhanak; Dhankia; Dhanuk; Dhunia; Dhunka; Dhunka Golandaj; Dhunkar; Golandaj; Kadore; Karar; Karare; Korar; Tetaria; Valvi; ढँका
Population this Country 498,000
Population all Countries 502,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
People ID 16706
ROP3 Code 111941
ROP25 Code 302053
ROP25 Name Dhanka
Country India
Region Asia, South
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 5
Largest States
Gujarat
334,000
Rajasthan
115,000
Maharashtra
42,000
Madhya Pradesh
7,700
Odisha
200
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 5
  Gujarat 334,000
  Rajasthan 115,000
  Maharashtra 42,000
  Madhya Pradesh 7,700
  Odisha 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.29 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.48 %
Islam
1.85 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.33 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (280,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 29
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
37,000
Dhundari
27,000
Bhili
22,000
Marwari
15,000
Shekhawati
11,000
Marathi
11,000
Bagri
4,200
Nimadi
4,200
Punjabi, Eastern
3,000
Ahirani
1,500
Urdu
1,400
Dangi
1,200
Telugu
400
Mewari
300
Odia
200
Primary Language Gujarati (280,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 29
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 37,000
  Dhundari 27,000
  Bhili 22,000
  Marwari 15,000
  Shekhawati 11,000
  Marathi 11,000
  Bagri 4,200
  Nimadi 4,200
  Punjabi, Eastern 3,000
  Ahirani 1,500
  Urdu 1,400
  Dangi 1,200
  Telugu 400
  Mewari 300
  Odia 200
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Mukta Prasad 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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