Kurmi (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

Kurmi is the name given to a Hindu caste in India. The caste system in India is a pattern of social stratification associated with Hinduism. The word "kurmi" literally means the "I cans" or the "I am ables". The Kurmi are also known as Kunbi. The Kurmi are believed to be descendants of some of the earliest Aryan immigrants to India and come from the Kshatriyas (warrior caste) who became farmers. Kurmi are known in India as the chief agricultural caste.

The word "kurmi" is related to the word karmi derived from the word "karma" (action or merit). Defining caste by karma instead by lineage and birth was a major change of defining caste instead of that based on birth lineage and ancestry linked to the Vedas (ancient Hindu scriptures) and espoused by Brahmins (priestly caste).

Historical writers say that the relationship between the Kshatriyas (warrior caste) and the Brahmins became strained. Consequently Brahmins started keeping the Vedas a secret from the Kshatriyas. A Vedic Kshatriya was a defender of the faith and righteous order. However, some Kshatriyas, influenced by Buddha and Mahavira, decided they did not need Vedic scriptures for supreme spiritual self mastery or to define their lineage or caste. Kshatriyas in India's northern Empires adopted Buddhism and Jainism.


Where Are they Located?

The Kurmis are found throughout India, from Punjab to Bengal in the east as well as southern India. The Barwar community of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are descendents of the Kurmi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Modern Kurmi are relatively prosperous and educated. Their lifestyle is associated with farming and trading. Due to their agricultural link, the Kurmi are viewed as one of the 'backward' or lower castes. Some Kurmi have formed a national movement in the northern and eastern Indian regions for advocacy purposes.


The Kurmi are isolated from the Bible, and they fear that believers want to win Kurmi children away from their families into separate Christian communities.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Kurmis are Hindus. Buddhists and Jains can be found amongst them, as well.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kurmi need the salvation offered by God. They need Jesus Christ. A key issue for the Kurmi is their desire to be recognised by other castes as belonging to the warrior caste of Kshatriya.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Kurmi may realize that Jesus is their only hope for salvation and any lasting status.
The Lion of Judah is offering the Kurmi the right to be a special people and royal priests of the Almighty.
Pray that the Kurmi as a whole heed this call and give their hearts in a positive response.


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


References

http://www.indianetzone.com/35/kurmis_indian_caste.htm
http://goo.gl/HeEb4
http://www.experiencefestival.com/upanayanam
http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Kurmi
http://goo.gl/plxT7


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-08-13
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-09-23
Global Prayer Digest: 2015-08-25
Global Prayer Digest: 2019-05-20
People Name General Kurmi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Kurmi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation koor-MEE
Alternate Names Awadhia; Gangwar; Gowd; Kapu; Katiyar; Korma; Kunbi; Kurma; Mahto; Patanwar; Patchwar; Patel; Patidar; Sachan; कुर्मी (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 22,664,000
Population all Countries 23,004,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 453
People ID 17334
ROP3 Code 112717
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 28
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
8,283,000
Bihar
4,872,000
Madhya Pradesh
2,437,000
Jharkhand
2,203,000
West Bengal
1,680,000
Chhattisgarh
1,150,000
Telangana
1,001,000
Assam
368,000
Odisha
73,000
Karnataka
71,000
Uttarakhand
54,000
Tamil Nadu
53,000
Maharashtra
40,000
Andaman and Nicobar
11,000
Gujarat
7,800
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 28  (only 20 largest shown)
  Uttar Pradesh 8,283,000
  Bihar 4,872,000
  Madhya Pradesh 2,437,000
  Jharkhand 2,203,000
  West Bengal 1,680,000
  Chhattisgarh 1,150,000
  Telangana 1,001,000
  Assam 368,000
  Odisha 73,000
  Karnataka 71,000
  Uttarakhand 54,000
  Tamil Nadu 53,000
  Maharashtra 40,000
  Andaman and Nicobar 11,000
  Gujarat 7,800
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
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 Hindi (10,900,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 43
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
2,707,000
Bengali
1,261,000
Telugu
931,000
Chhattisgarhi
654,000
Awadhi
614,000
Magahi
605,000
Maithili
290,000
Assamese
233,000
Kanauji
223,000
Bagheli
142,000
Bundeli
85,000
Odia
63,000
Malvi
56,000
Sadri
55,000
Angika
47,000
Primary Language Hindi (10,900,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 43
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 2,707,000
  Bengali 1,261,000
  Telugu 931,000
  Chhattisgarhi 654,000
  Awadhi 614,000
  Magahi 605,000
  Maithili 290,000
  Assamese 233,000
  Kanauji 223,000
  Bagheli 142,000
  Bundeli 85,000
  Odia 63,000
  Malvi 56,000
  Sadri 55,000
  Angika 47,000
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
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 Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.