The term Koli means fisherman. According to legend the Koli claim to be descendents from the Black Dwarf that came forth from the body of King Vena. Numbering more than 12 million, they are one of the largest communities of western India. The Koli constitute of a number of communities with various occupations and cultural identities while still remaining Koli. As their name implies, fishing is common. Some are laborers, agriculturists, water carriers, boatmen and some raise animals. Some Koli have advanced education and have positioned themselves well within society and government, but the majority live within the lower strata of society.
The Koli live mostly in the villages and towns of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. They live the simple life of agriculturalists. However, as technology has entered into the life of most people they are also aware of the life available in the city and have experienced a few of the material benefits that can be obtained.
Nearly all of Koli are Hindu while a very few practice Islam. The eldest son inherits the father's authority. The Koli cremate their dead and practice death pollution for eleven days. The Koli worship Guar Mati and Holi Mata among other deities of Hinduism. They also believe in ghosts and spirits. Depending on the region, they will celebrate the Namiya festival associated with fishing as well as Karbha, Bahan and other common festivals. A Brahmin priest will officiate at religious activities as well as rituals associated with the cycles of life.
Ask God that workers will be sent to every district and village.
Pray that God will raise up Koli evangelists that will have a heart to reach their own.
Pray that God will send film teams that will present the life and death of Jesus.
Pray that the God who has set eternity in their hearts will prepare their hearts for the Gospel.
Scripture Prayers for the Koli (Hindu traditions) in India.
Profile Source: GSCC Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Global Prayer Digest: 2007-09-14 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2008-08-04 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-09-28 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2020-01-13 |
People Name General | Koli (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Koli (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | KOH-lee |
Alternate Names | Bunkar; Buntar; Chamar-Julaha; Dhimar; Kabaria Dagi; Kaperdia; Kapre; Kili; Koda; Koli of Gujarat; Koli Patel; Kora; Koral; Kori; Koria; Kuli; Macchi Koli; Machhi Koli; Machikoli; Mahar-Kili; Malhar; Shilpakar; Shilpkar; Tantubais; Taru; कोली |
Population this Country | 2,682,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,963,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 54 |
People ID | 17247 |
ROP3 Code | 112615 |
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 | 25 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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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 | 25 (only 20 largest shown) |
Madhya Pradesh 773,000 | |
Rajasthan 636,000 | |
Himachal Pradesh 588,000 | |
Delhi 234,000 | |
Haryana 117,000 | |
Telangana 65,000 | |
Uttarakhand 47,000 | |
Karnataka 41,000 | |
Gujarat 35,000 | |
Punjab 29,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 24,000 | |
Maharashtra 17,000 | |
Chhattisgarh 7,400 | |
West Bengal 7,200 | |
Chandigarh 5,400 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.26 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.02 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.31 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.41 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (1,340,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 41 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
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Primary Language | Hindi (1,340,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 41 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Pahari, Mahasu 142,000 | |
Dhundari 109,000 | |
Marwari 82,000 | |
Mandeali 70,000 | |
Gujarati 69,000 | |
Telugu 56,000 | |
Pahari, Kullu 47,000 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 46,000 | |
Kangri 39,000 | |
Bundeli 39,000 | |
Kannada 26,000 | |
Malvi 24,000 | |
Haroti: Harauti 19,000 | |
Marathi 16,000 | |
Garhwali 16,000 | |
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 | |
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Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Meena Kadri - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | GSCC Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |