The Gujar are comprised of three very closely related people groups that are collectively known as the "Gujar Rajasthani." As various Muslim groups began invading India and Pakistan in the eleventh century, the Gujar Hindus converted to Islam. When this happened, their resentful Hindu neighbors began to rise up and take control of the area. The Gujar were forced to leave the region and search for good pastures elsewhere. Their wanderings took them into Pakistan and Afghanistan, where thousands have remained until this day.
They are located in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and several states in northeastern India (Himachal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Rajasthan). In addition, the Gujarat state of western India is named after the historic Gujar peoples.
Some Gujar in India are seasonal nomads or semi-nomadic. Others live and work in towns. The few who live in forests are not integrated into Indian society.
They are a simple, inoffensive people with a hospitable nature. Today, most of the Gujar living in India live as law-abiding shepherds and farmers. Unfortunately, they are still belittled by those of higher castes (social classes), and often labeled as thieves and vagrants. The middlemen who take their agricultural products to the city markets and sell them as their own often cheat Gujar nomads who live in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gujar are divided into hundreds of clans. Their societies are patrilineal, so they pass inheritances down through the males. The parents usually arrange marriages, and the groom's family must provide a bride price of either cash or livestock. They may marry outside their clans, and young couples live near the groom's parents. Most live in extended families under a community council.
Centuries past, they were all Hindus. A Muslim invasion in the 11th century forced many to convert to Islam. Those in Afghanistan are all Sunni Muslim. They believe in the tenets of Islam and seek to obey the teachings of the Koran, as given by Mohammed. Few are familiar with more than a surface level Muslim theology. For this reason, they depend on amulets and the intercession of Muslim saints for their daily needs. Allah is too distant to help them.
The governments of the countries where they live can be hostile to any form of proselytizing. Government restrictions apply. Since they are close by, there are more problems from family members than from the government.
Pray that God will send culturally sensitive missionaries who will show them the way to the cross.
Pray for a Christ-ward movement to flourish among this people group in the 2020s.
Pray for the Gujar people in Afghanistan to be blessed with peace, joy and spiritual prosperity as they follow Jesus Christ.
Pray for their leaders to have dreams and visions that will open their hearts to Jesus Christ and his ambassadors.
Scripture Prayers for the Gujar (Muslim traditions) in Afghanistan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-11-14 |
People Name General | Gujar (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Gujar (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation | GOO-jar |
Alternate Names | Gujar; Gurjar; गुजर (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 20,000 |
Population all Countries | 5,779,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17549 |
ROP3 Code | 112971 |
Country | Afghanistan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 9 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Scattered. Nomadic, traveling in summer in eastern valleys. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Afghanistan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 9 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Scattered. Nomadic, traveling in summer in eastern valleys.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Religion Subdivision: | Sunni |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.03 %) |
0.03 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.97 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Gujari (20,000 speakers) |
Language Code | gju Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Western Gujari |
Dialect Code | 10404 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Gujari (20,000 speakers) |
Language Code | gju Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Western Gujari |
Dialect Code | 10404 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Gujari |
Primary Language: Gujari
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories | One Story |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Gujari | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Matt Brandon All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |