The Zamral are a relatively small group of people who make their home primarily in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. They consider themselves the lowest and fourth Varna, or division in the formal Hindu caste system. They are not, however, part of the very lowest communitie.
They are typically farmers, craftsmen and day laborers. Many have migratory jobs. Other than that, they are engaged in making baskets and, to a lesser degree, roofs from bamboo. They sell mats and baskets in the markets. The role of women is very important in the production of baskets as well as in other parts of society. They marry only within their group but not within their clan. They eat millet and wheat as their primary cereals. They eat meat except for beef. They speak the Nimari or Nimadi language at home and Hindi for communication outside of the group.
The Zamral practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Shankar, Parvati and Hanuman are their patron deities. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain "moksha" or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Zamral visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Zamral people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Zamral are the working caste.
There is a need for literacy training among them as the vast majority cannot read or write. They could make use of development programs having to do with education, electricity, medical, family welfare, communication and even grants from the government which benefit their basket-making industry. Most of all the Zamral need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.
Ask God to give the Zamral a spiritual hunger that will lead them to find out more about Jesus. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Zamral people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Zamral people to help meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Scripture Prayers for the Zamral (Hindu traditions) in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2012-09-13 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-09-01 |
People Name General | Zamral (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Zamral (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation |
sahm-RAHL
|
Alternate Names | ज़मर्ल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 8,300 |
Population all Countries | 8,300 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18355 |
ROP3 Code | 113909 |
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 |
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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 |
Madhya Pradesh 8,000 | |
Rajasthan 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (4,900 speakers) | |||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (4,900 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Nimadi 1,800 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1818-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Dr. Nagaraja Sharma - Shutterstock All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |