Gujar (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Gujur are comprised of three very closely related people groups that are known collectively as the "Gujur Rajasthani." 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 district of western India is named after the historic Gujur peoples.

As various Muslim groups began invading India and Pakistan in the eleventh century, the Gujur Hindus converted to Islam. When this happened, their resentful Hindu neighbors began to rise up and take control of the area. The Gujur 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.

The partition of Pakistan and India in 1947 also caused many tribal migrations. Masses of Muslims immigrated to Pakistan, while the Hindus flocked to India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Ever since their conversion to Islam in the eleventh century, the Gujur have been bound by a life of poverty, illiteracy, and social oppression. In general, they are a simple, inoffensive people with a generous, hospitable nature. Today, most of the Gujur 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 Gujur living in the mountain forests of northeastern India raise buffalo. Unfortunately, the Indian government has imposed regulations on the number of buffalo a family can keep, and on how long they can live in the forests. This has been distressing for the Gujur, since this is their main source of income. For this reason, these nomads are constantly searching for new pastures for their herds.

The Gujur nomads who live in Jammu and Kashmir are often cheated by the middlemen who take their agricultural products to the city markets and sell them as their own.

The Gujur castes are broadly divided along religious and geographic lines into two groups: the Muslim Gujur and the Hindu Gujur. The Muslims are seasonal nomads who live in windowless, one-room houses during sedentary growing seasons; whereas, the Hindus are settled farmers who live in the same place all year.

Most of the Gujur in Afghanistan are nomadic groups who earn their living as tinkers (traveling menders of household goods), musicians, tradesmen, or fortune-tellers. Many are extremely poor and have resorted to begging and crime. Others are nomadic goat herders who travel the eastern valleys during the summer months. Unfortunately, conflicts between Afghanistan and Russia in recent years have damaged the economy for those who work in agriculture and trade.

The Gujur living in the forested mountain regions usually build their homes in clearings along the mountain fringes. The dwellings have one, two, or three rooms and are built with flat roofs. In contrast, the homes of those living in Jammu and Kashmir typically have angular roofs. Since they cook inside over open fires, their homes are often dark and smoky.

The Gujur are divided into hundreds of clans. Their societies are patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males. Marriages are usually arranged by the parents, and a "bride price" of either cash or buffalo is paid to the girl's family. They are permitted to marry outside their clans, and young couples generally live near the grooms' parents.

All three Gujur groups speak Gujuri, an Indo-Aryan language. This common factor has helped to identify them as a distinct sub-group. The Gujur of Afghanistan also speak Pashto and/or Dari, which are Persian languages and are spoken by the majority of the Afghani population.


What Are Their Beliefs?

A majority of the Gujur are Muslims; however, those who are Hindus have greatly influenced the others. The Gujur may worship a "family deity" and observe some of the traditional Hindu feasts such as Holi.

Because the Muslim Gujur share Hindu customs, they are not generally accepted by other Muslims. Nevertheless, in their desire for a unified front against the Hindus, the Muslim Kashmiri have agreed to accept the nomadic Gujur Muslims who recently entered Jammu and Kashmir.


What Are Their Needs?

The Gujur have long been hidden away and forgotten by most of the world. The governments of the countries where they live can be hostile to any form of proselytizing; and so government restrictions apply, but most of the time Christians can follow their own religion. There are more problems from family members than from the government.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send forth laborers to share Christ with the Gujur.
Pray that God will encourage the small number of Gujur believers and give them a vision to reach their own people.
Ask God to send Christian teachers to live and work among the Gujur.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Gujur so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Pray that God will open the hearts of governmental leaders to the Gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Gujar (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

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 5,180,000
Population all Countries 5,752,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 104
People ID 17549
ROP3 Code 112971
ROP25 Code 302843
ROP25 Name Gujar
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kashmir   Source:  Joshua Project
Total States on file 5
Largest States
Punjab
2,814,000
Sindh
2,190,000
Islamabad
139,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
31,000
Balochistan
5,400
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kashmir.   Source:  Joshua Project
Total States 5
  Punjab 2,814,000
  Sindh 2,190,000
  Islamabad 139,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 31,000
  Balochistan 5,400
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (1,783,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Sindhi
1,231,000
Saraiki
835,000
Urdu
741,000
Pahari-Potwari
188,000
Marwari
108,000
Dhatki
95,000
Hindko, Southern
93,000
Hindko, Northern
17,000
Bagri
13,000
Kacchi
9,100
Pashto, Central
7,900
Koli, Parkari
1,200
Jadgali
1,100
Koli, Wadiyari
600
Pashto, Northern
300
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (1,783,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Sindhi 1,231,000
  Saraiki 835,000
  Urdu 741,000
  Pahari-Potwari 188,000
  Marwari 108,000
  Dhatki 95,000
  Hindko, Southern 93,000
  Hindko, Northern 17,000
  Bagri 13,000
  Kacchi 9,100
  Pashto, Central 7,900
  Koli, Parkari 1,200
  Jadgali 1,100
  Koli, Wadiyari 600
  Pashto, Northern 300
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Matt Brandon  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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