Silpkar (Hindu traditions) in India


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

Introduction / History

The Silpkar lived as tribals until they were taken as slaves by the Khasia and later by the immigrant high castes. The name Silpkar is generally used for the communities categorized lowly and residing in the hilly areas of Uttar Pradesh. The Silpkar are also known as Dom, Dum, Ram, Arya and Harijan.
They speak the Kumaoni and Garhwali languages. They also use Hindi while communicating with others but Kumaoni with one another. They are especially populous in Uttaranchal but also in Uttar Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Various occupational groups of the Silpkar still pursue their traditional hereditary occupations such as black smithy, copper smithy, basketry, masonry, oil-pressing, drum beating, and leather work, etc. They also engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, manufacture agricultural implements, making baskets and household utensils, etc. The Silpkar are divided into different hierarchically arranged groups based on their hereditary occupations.
They allow for marriage for those within the same status groups. Adult marriage is the norm. They are arranged through family negotiation. They cremate the dead and then observe a time of death pollution.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Some of their deities are Bhairon, Betal, Kalchhin, Kalua, Chhurmall and Gangnath, etc. They worship these deities as family, village and regional deities.


What Are Their Needs?

The Silpkar people need to put their hope in the King of kings, realizing that he is the one who provides protection, hope and dignity to all who call on his name.


Prayer Points

Pray for the spiritual transformation of this caste-bound community.
Pray for the Lord to bless the Silpkar people economically and spiritually as a testimony of his power and love.
Pray for good educational facilities, rehabilitation and vocational training.
Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment to lead them towards the cross and the empty grave.


Scripture Prayers for the Silpkar (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Silpkar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Silpkar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation SILP-kar
Alternate Names Badde; Bairi; Beda; Chanyal; Damai; Dhaloti; Dholi; Dhunar; Kolai; Kolta; Kumbhar; Lohar; Mour; Orh; Rudia; Shilpakar; Shilpkar; Tamta; Tirwa; सिलपकार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,097,000
Population all Countries 1,167,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 22
People ID 18107
ROP3 Code 113610
ROP25 Code 307523
ROP25 Name Silpkar
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 2
Largest States
Uttarakhand
1,065,000
Uttar Pradesh
32,000
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 2
  Uttarakhand 1,065,000
  Uttar Pradesh 32,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.05 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.44 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.34 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.17 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Kumaoni (418,000 speakers)
Language Code kfy   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Garhwali
299,000
Hindi
204,000
Punjabi, Eastern
1,900
Awadhi
1,300
Bhojpuri
600
Kanauji
100
Bundeli
70
Primary Language Kumaoni (418,000 speakers)
Language Code kfy   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Garhwali 299,000
  Hindi 204,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,900
  Awadhi 1,300
  Bhojpuri 600
  Kanauji 100
  Bundeli 70
People Groups Speaking Kumaoni
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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