Introduction / History

The Kaora people have a legend that they evolved out of a kaya, meaning shadow, and their name is a derivative of this word.

Where Are they Located?

These people live mainly in India's state of West Bengal, but they are also distributed in other parts of the country (see map). Like most people in West Bengal, they speak Bengali.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kaora people are mostly landless. They work as agricultural laborers and fish cultivators. Some raise pigs and goats while others are drummers, rickshaw-pullers or palanquin-bearers. They do not have many educational opportunities, and they suffer from illiteracy.

Common surnames among them include Kahar, Mandal, and Paramanik. Their girls get married between the ages of 12-16, and boys are married between 20-25. Women have very low status in Kaora communities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kaora people are entirely Hindu, and they worship a variety of Hindu gods and goddesses. They go to the same temples as other communities.

What Are Their Needs?

Christ followers could help the Kaora people develop their own fisheries and fish ponds. We could also help them increase their literacy rate by offering tutoring and schooling.

Prayer Points

* Pray that the Hindu gods will be discredited and that Christ will be lifted high among the Kaora people.
* Pray that the principalities and powers of the air that confuse them will be bound so that the light of Jesus may enter their lives.
* Pray that God will raise up His ambassadors to go to them with the gospel.
* Pray that Bengali Christian materials will find their way into Kaora homes.