Introduction / History

The Kalu people derive their name from the Hindi word khalu. Stories tell of the legendary Lord Shiva and how the first Kalu man came from the sweat off of Lord Shiva's arm while bathing in oil. The Kalu have a long tradition of being sellers of oil and of being oil-pressers, a similar occupation to that of the Teli people.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kalu live in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. They can be found as landowners as well as farmers or plantation labourers. Their married women wear shell and iron bangles traditionally. They eat fish and other meats as well as wheat and ria and biri kalai. They speak Bengali in all three countries and can be found in both extended or nuclear families these days.

What Are Their Needs?

Though the Kalu are found in well over 140 different districts in Nepal and India there is no record of even one believer among the group. Pray that agricultural initiatives could be a good platform for workers to bless the Kalu and share the knowledge of Jesus Christ.