Introduction / History

The Samasi are a small Scheduled Caste of weavers. Their ancestors probably migrated from what is now Ranchi in Jharkhand to their current location in Odisha.

Where Are they Located?

This Hindu people group lives in Odisha, a state in eastern India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

At one time Samasi people were married while in their teens but now they practice adult marriage. Commonly they marry their cousins. Usually their marriages are between one man and one woman, unless the wife agrees for him to take on a second wife.

The marriage ceremony is at the home of the bride's family. Brahman priests officiate, and like most Hindus, the couple walks around a sacred fire seven times, and then the groom applies vermilion on the bride's forehead as a symbol of her new marital status. Then all the wedding guests enjoy a feast.

Samasi families can be either nuclear or extended. Sons stay with their parents until the parents die, then they scatter along with their wives if they are married.

Women have higher status and more power than they did before independence in 1947. They still must work hard with all aspects of their economy, but they share decision making powers with their husbands in regard to issues of marriage or property. However, they have no power in the area of social control.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Samasi people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Like other Hindus, they employ Brahman priests for their ceremonies. They are most likely to worship Lord Jagannath and the goddess Laxmi as their favored deities, though they have others they worship as well. They worship at the same shrines as other communities, share the same roads and water sources.

What Are Their Needs?

The Samasi community needs the transforming grace that can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to change them from within.

Prayer Points

Pray for an abundant blessing of Samasi families and communities as they embrace Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords.
Pray for a movement to Christ that will enrich the Samasi community.
Pray for spiritual openness to Jesus Christ that will not be hindered by the false belief in religious institutions rather than the person, Jesus Christ.
Pray for a family-based disciple-making movement in the 2020s.

Scripture Prayers for the Samasi in India.

References

https://twitter.com/BrettAiken21/status/1021745905228279808
http://www.theshillongtimes.com/2013/04/25/alleged-court-order-violation-by-samasi-villagers/