Introduction / History

The Godda people live mainly in Karnataka, but many of them also live in two of India's other southern states, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In Karnataka, their name means "barren," and the name they use in Tamil Nadu means "cattle." Most of them are involved with agriculture, and they are landless. Some work as stone-cutters, rickshaw drivers, lumberjacks, construction workers, wood carvers, and beedi (cigarette) rollers.

Their families are usually nuclear. Girls get married at about 16 and boys get married at about 18. Commonly and young man will marry a cousin. If his wife dies, he often marries her younger sister. Women contribute to the family income. The main marriage rituals involve worshipping family deities.

For a rural people group in India the Godda people have a high literacy rate. They have benefitted from modern medicine, water projects, electricity, roads, postal service, and government programs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

These Hindus worship Jasma Devi as their patron deity. They worship many spirit beings, but Jesus Christ is not part of their world.

Prayer Points

Pray that Jesus will soon become the only object of their devotion.