Velip in India

The Velip have only been reported 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

Goa is a beautiful land known as the "paradise of the east." Velip people are considered aborigines of Goa, having lived in this area since their beginnings. Goa was once a Portuguese colony. They live in forested and mining zones, resulting in conflict between land, resources, and ownership. They have suffered domination under several invading rulers that infiltrated their culture through the years.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Velip people live in Goa on the west coast of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Velip people are mainly agricultural in their occupation and way of life. They eat primarily fish, rice, wheat, vegetables, and fruits in season. They cook with coconut and ground nut oil. Most families raise cows. Some Velip people work in nearby towns as wage earners in construction, electrician work, and as painters.

Velip people live in clans. Clan members may marry with any other clan than their own. Marrying age is 18 years for women, and 21 for men by law. Divorce is rare, and matters are settled by elder members of the clan with a goal of compromise. A widowed man may remarry, but a widowed woman may not.

They rely on tribal medicines for basic illnesses. Various parts of medicinal plants are gathered from forests, dried and powdered. Often such medicines are sold in local markets.


What Are Their Beliefs?

This unreached people group is primarily devout Hindu. Their clans are named after gods whom they worship and venerate in their homes. Velip men serve as priests in their temples for three months in succession. During this time, they live in the temple.


What Are Their Needs?

Although written, audio, and visual Bible resources are available in Konkani, the language of the Goa and the Velip people, they have not yet heard of the one true Almighty God who loves them and paid the full penalty for their sins. They continue to fear and worship gods that cannot take care of their needs.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Velip people.
Pray for the Velip people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Velip people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Velip disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Velip communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Velip in India.


References

http://www.chowgules.ac.in/chowgule/Documents/journals/Minor/Anagha/anagha.pdf


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Velip
People Name in Country Velip
Alternate Names Valip; वेलीप
Population this Country 38,000
Population all Countries 38,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18321
ROP3 Code 113868
ROP25 Code 308586
ROP25 Name Velip
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)
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 1
  Goa 38,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.14 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.54 %
Islam
0.24 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.05 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Konkani, Goan (28,000 speakers)
Language Code gom   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Kannada
2,300
Marathi
900
Konkani
600
Primary Language Konkani, Goan (28,000 speakers)
Language Code gom   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Kannada 2,300
  Marathi 900
  Konkani 600
People Groups Speaking Konkani, Goan
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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