Tawaif (Muslim traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Tawaifs are courtesans, high class prostitutes who are also artistic performers. Hindu Tawaifs are far better known than their Muslim Pakistani counterparts. Tawaifs either live in India's Uttar Pradesh state or Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh Provinces.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Tawaifs have their own culture which involves music and dance. People have wavered for many years between viewing them in negative terms, even as non-humans, and honoring their cultural achievements.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Like any Muslim, the Tawaif believe in Allah as the all-sovereign God who spoke to Mohammed leading to the Koran, which is their holy book. Typically, Muslims in South Asia hold other beliefs that seem almost Hindu.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tawaifs need to find their worth in the Savior, Jesus Christ. Some need help with job training so they can earn a better living.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit driven workers to go to the Muslim Tawaifs until there they have their own church planting movement. Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find the only Savior. Pray for the Lord to speak to the hearts of Tawaif community leaders, giving them reason to open the doors for the gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Tawaif (Muslim traditions) in India.


References

https://www.dailyo.in/arts/tawaifs-courtesans-women-balakhanas-kothas-nautch-girls-awadh-prostitutes/story/1/21698.html
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/an-ode-to-the-tawaifs-of-bollywood/articleshow/74597968.cms
https://thewire.in/books/tawaifnama-saba-dewans-radical-proposition-that-courtesans-are-people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tawaif (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Tawaif (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Bakariya; Harkaya; तवायफ़ (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 127,000
Population all Countries 145,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 17691
ROP3 Code 113136
ROP25 Code 308017
ROP25 Name Tawaif
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 3
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
124,000
Uttarakhand
1,900
Madhya Pradesh
1,800
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 3
  Uttar Pradesh 124,000
  Uttarakhand 1,900
  Madhya Pradesh 1,800
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (76,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Urdu
42,000
Bhojpuri
8,300
Kanauji
3,600
Garhwali
400
Bundeli
100
Awadhi
90
Primary Language Hindi (76,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Urdu 42,000
  Bhojpuri 8,300
  Kanauji 3,600
  Garhwali 400
  Bundeli 100
  Awadhi 90
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)
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, 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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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 or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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