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.
Tawaifs have their own culture which involves music and dance. People have wavered for many years between seeing them in negative terms, even as non-humans, and honoring their cultural achievements.
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 also hold beliefs that seem almost Hindu.
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.
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 Pakistan.
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 | 18,000 |
Population all Countries | 152,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17691 |
ROP3 Code | 113136 |
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) | |||
Total States on file | 3 | |||
Largest States |
|
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) |
Total States | 3 |
Sindh 10,000 | |
Punjab 6,500 | |
Islamabad 50 | |
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 | Sindhi (6,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 6 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Sindhi (6,000 speakers) |
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 6 |
Secondary Languages | |
Urdu 4,200 | |
Saraiki 3,800 | |
Punjabi, Western 2,900 | |
Dhatki 400 | |
Marwari 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Sindhi |
Primary Language: Sindhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1890-1992) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 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. |