Introduction / History

The Dhobi are a large collective community of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. They derive their name from the Sanskrit term dahv which means 'wash.' The Dhobi are traditionally the clothes washers. They are a schedule caste in many of the states of India, where the majority of the Dhobi live.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Today more than most South Asian communities the Dhobi have maintained their traditional occupation of washing clothes and running laundry services. Others have started their own businesses.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.

What Are Their Needs?

Though some small success has come in ministry to the Hindu Dhobi, the Muslim and Sikh Dhobi have no known believers. In general, the attitude of the Dhobi to education is quite good.

Prayer Points

Pray that followers of Jesus will reach many Sikh Dhobis with the biblical truths such as the parables of Jesus, so they will know God's true nature.

Pray that they will come to rejoice in knowing him.

Ask God to raise up Sikh Dhobi who are more desirous to know the truth than to stay on the broad road to death.

Ask God to send loving, committed workers to the Dhobi in the near future.

Pray the Dhobi would no longer be hidden away from the influence of Christ.

Scripture Prayers for the Dhobi (Sikh traditions) in India.