Kalwar (Hindu traditions) 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 Kalwars were traditionally distillers and sellers of alcohol in north and central India. Their name comes from the Sanskrit word for "distiller of liquor." Since this profession was considered demeaning by most castes in Indian society, many Kalwars around the year 1900 began to leave their original trade for other careers. Although some of the Kalwars still are in the liquor business, most have taken jobs in agriculture, business, the military, government service, medicine, accounting, education and engineering. The Kalwar speak the primary languages of the states where they live including Hindi, Bengali and Magahi.


Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Kalwars live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kalwars are not vegetarians but they will not eat beef or pork. Rice and wheat are their staples along with vegetables, fruit and dairy products.

The Kalwars are endogamous, that is they do not marry outsiders. Marriage outside of the immediate clan is permitted. Families arrange marriages that are officiated by a Brahim priest. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's family.

Monogamy (marriage to one spouse) and adult marriage are the general rule. Most Kalwars live in extended families. Sons inherit property with the oldest son receiving the family house and father's authority. Alcoholism is a problem among the Kalwars.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kalwars of Hindu tradition worship all the deities of the Hindu pantheon and especially Vishnu, the preserver god and his consort Lakshmi. They also worship two of Vishnu's incarnations, Rama and Krishna.

A priest from their own community performs ceremonies that cure diseases and protect against evil spirits. The dead are cremated and the ashes are put into a river preferably the holy Ganges.

The Kalwar participate in Hindu holidays like Holi, the festival of colors, Navratri, celebration of nine nights, Ramanavmi, the birthday of Rama and Janamashtami, the birthday of Krishna.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kalwar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ who died for their sins. They need to see Biblical Christianity lived out in the lives of Christians. They need to have the opportunity to join Bible-believing churches in their own people group and language.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord would send Indian Christians and other believers to befriend and work with the Kalwars.
Pray that each Kalwar would have the opportunity to hear the gospel in an understandable way.
Pray the Lord would begin evangelical churches in the Kalwar community.


Scripture Prayers for the Kalwar (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

http://www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/kalwar/


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2008-08-02
Global Prayer Digest: 2015-08-29
Global Prayer Digest: 2020-03-09
People Name General Kalwar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Kalwar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation KAHL-wahr
Alternate Names Kalai; Kalal; Kalan; Kalar; Kalari; Kaleri; Kalladi; Kallar; Kalol; Kalya; Konwar; Sehare; Sehore; Sudhi; कलवार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 2,697,000
Population all Countries 2,830,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 54
People ID 17061
ROP3 Code 112399
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 15
Largest States
Bihar
1,461,000
Uttar Pradesh
999,000
Chhattisgarh
474,000
Jharkhand
312,000
Maharashtra
241,000
Madhya Pradesh
233,000
West Bengal
106,000
Odisha
19,000
Uttarakhand
6,600
Sikkim
1,100
Andaman and Nicobar
300
Karnataka
200
Delhi
100
Meghalaya
100
Tripura
30
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 15
  Bihar 1,461,000
  Uttar Pradesh 999,000
  Chhattisgarh 474,000
  Jharkhand 312,000
  Maharashtra 241,000
  Madhya Pradesh 233,000
  West Bengal 106,000
  Odisha 19,000
  Uttarakhand 6,600
  Sikkim 1,100
  Andaman and Nicobar 300
  Karnataka 200
  Delhi 100
  Meghalaya 100
  Tripura 30
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.94 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (2,152,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
615,000
Chhattisgarhi
313,000
Marathi
201,000
Maithili
192,000
Bengali
121,000
Magahi
98,000
Awadhi
62,000
Kanauji
24,000
Odia
17,000
Angika
16,000
Bagheli
12,000
Bundeli
6,400
Nimadi
5,000
Garhwali
2,800
Surjapuri
2,700
Primary Language Hindi (2,152,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 615,000
  Chhattisgarhi 313,000
  Marathi 201,000
  Maithili 192,000
  Bengali 121,000
  Magahi 98,000
  Awadhi 62,000
  Kanauji 24,000
  Odia 17,000
  Angika 16,000
  Bagheli 12,000
  Bundeli 6,400
  Nimadi 5,000
  Garhwali 2,800
  Surjapuri 2,700
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.