The Gawaria were traditionally a Hindu nomadic people who raised sheep and goats. The primary language of the Gawaria is Hindi. They also speak the local languages where they live. Most live in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The Gawaria were shepherds, traveling traders and carriers. They became traders after their land was no longer able to sustain agriculture or grazing. They once used herds of bullocks and oxen to carry their goods for trade. However, with the advancement in the transportation industry, they have turned to other professions. Some make household articles from cane or wild grass and weave mats. Others work in the building trades especially in masonry. Their literacy level is very low so their job options are limited.
The Gawaria marry within their group but outside of their clan. The bride's family pay a dowry at the time of the wedding. The couple often goes to live with the groom's family. The bride and groom circle a sacred fire seven times during the wedding. Brahmin priests officiate at weddings.
They allow for divorce and remarriage, but only with the consent of the community caste council. A Brahmin priest performs a naming ceremony for a newborn on the seventh or ninth day after birth. Inheritance is equally divided among sons and the eldest takes over the guidance of the family after the father dies.
The Gawaria practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Gawaria 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 god as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Gawaria people are 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Gawaria fit in the working caste.
The Gawaria people need the chance to know Jesus and experience his abundant life.
Pray for loving workers to take the gospel message to the Gawaria community.
Pray the Lord will prepare the hearts of the Gawaria to understand and to believe the gospel.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Gawaria people with adequate education and medical facilities.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Gawaria people so abundantly that they will see he is the only one worthy of praise and worship.
Scripture Prayers for the Gawaria in India.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gawaria
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2012-09-26 |
People Name General | Gawaria |
People Name in Country | Gawaria |
Alternate Names | Badi; Bajigar; Banjara; Gancha; Garancha; Gauria; Gavar Banjara; Gavara; Gavaria; Gawara Badi; Gayari; Gowaria; Gwar; Gwaria; Gwariya; Gwariya Banjara; Gwariya Bargia; Kangar; गवारिया |
Population this Country | 105,000 |
Population all Countries | 105,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 16891 |
ROP3 Code | 112178 |
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 |
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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 |
Rajasthan 101,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 1,900 | |
Punjab 700 | |
Haryana 200 | |
Chandigarh 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.01 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
97.40 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
2.59 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (45,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 10 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (45,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 10 |
Secondary Languages | |
Marwari 26,000 | |
Dhundari 6,300 | |
Shekhawati 3,600 | |
Mewari 2,400 | |
Haroti: Harauti 1,800 | |
Bagri 800 | |
Wagdi 700 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 500 | |
Malvi 400 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1818-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |