The Kela are a scheduled caste in Odisha. They speak in Oriya.
The Kela Nalua can make their living in a variety of ways. Some trap birds and sell them. The women often sell cosmetics. Some practice snake charming while others work for the government. The less fortunate are day laborers. Some of them take part in self-employment schemes. They are educated to a degree but their semi-nomadic lifestyle restricts them, so the gospel will need to be presented to them in oral forms.
The Kela Nalua people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
The Kela people need opportunities to earn a good living in a settled environment where their children can be educated.
Pray that God gives them dreams and visions leading them to Jesus Christ. Pray that Indian believers will help them begin a disciple making movement. Pray that gospel recordings and the JESUS Film will become easily accessed by the Kela people.
Scripture Prayers for the Kela (Hindu traditions) in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Kela (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Kela (Hindu traditions) |
Alternate Names | Neeli; Sabakhia; केला (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 29,000 |
Population all Countries | 29,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17134 |
ROP3 Code | 112483 |
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 | 2 | |||
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 | 2 |
Odisha 29,000 | |
Jharkhand 200 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.01 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.99 %
|
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 | Odia (23,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | ory Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Odia (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ory Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi 800 | |
Bengali 500 | |
People Groups | Speaking Odia |
Primary Language: Odia
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1811-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1809-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1815-2021) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |