Introduction / History

The Kotia also called Benatho Oriya are a scheduled tribe of India who were originally from Orissa and moved to Andhra Pradesh. They speak in Oriya and Telugu.

The Kotia are not vegetarians who eat rice as a cereal. They are endogamous (they prefer to marry within their group or clan) and mostly monogamous. Divorcees and the bereaved can marry again. Sons inherit the property on the death of the father with the oldest son becoming in charge of the home. The dead are cremated.

The Kotia work in agriculture and laboring. They have a community council. Hinduism is their religion. Boys are educated and girls are partly educated. They use traditional and modern medicines and family planning.

Prayer Points

* Pray that Indian Christians will help lead the Kotia to Jesus Christ.
* Pray that gospel recordings and the internet will lead them to salvation.

References

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999