The Takari are a small group of indigenous people who live in the western Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Takari is derived from "takna" which means to tap or chisel. Their traditional work has been repairing grinding mills. They are now a small occupational offshoot of the Pardhis, a tribal community in Maharashtra. They have low caste status since they are a tribal people. The two main languages of the Takari are Urdu and Kannada. Complete Bibles and the JESUS Film are available in both languages. Unfortunately, many of the Takari are unable to read and write. The gospel will have to be shared with them in oral and visual forms.

The Takari travel from village to village and roughen household grinding-mills when they have been worn too smooth to be useful in milling grain. Others make their living by hunting and gathering products from the forest. The traditional occupation of repairing grinding stones is disappearing due to the introduction of modern factories that grind grain more efficiently.

The Takari people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. The brand of Islam is heavily influenced by folk religion, or the belief that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. The Takari try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander, and make idols. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

The Takari need new job skills. Many of the Takari, especially the women and girls, need to learn how to read and write. Most of all the Takari need to understand that Jesus or Isa is much more than a human prophet. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.

* Scripture Prayers for the Takari in India.

Ask the Lord to create a desire in the Takari to find more about Jesus or Isa. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Takari people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Takari people to tell them about Jesus.