Siddi (Muslim traditions) in India

The Siddi (Muslim traditions) 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.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Muwallad 1,400
Wilaiti 1,200
Siddi Christian Unknown

Introduction / History

The Siddi people group is located mainly in the Indian states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Some also live at Goa and Bihar. Their origin is African -- specifically Nigerian -- but around 400 years ago they were traded as slaves by a Muslim king and they served as sailors. Their main spoken language is Gujarati. The Siddi are mostly located in the Saurashtra Region of the state of Gujarat. Their village names are Sirvan and Janmbur. In these two villages there are around 5,000 Siddi. Both villages lie within the area of the Gir Forest National Park.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Siddi are a neglected community. Although they speak the Guajarati language, due to their different appearance they have been discriminated against. Most of the men work on farms and in the forest. Women also work on the farms and also collect firewood. Children often quit school early for two reasons:to help their parents earn a living and the nearest middle school is 12 km away. Most live semi-nomadic lives. Their houses are made of mud and cow dung. The Siddi often lack access to modern medicine, electricity and clean water. Many of them suffer from skin diseases. Unfortunately, many of the men have alcohol abuse issues.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are officially Muslims, but they actually follow folk beliefs more than Islam. They do not know much about Islam and even the larger Islamic community does not regard them as true Muslims. The Siddi believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such a rocks, trees, rivers and mountains. These evil spirits must be appeased or they can bring disaster upon the Siddi. The Siddi have not been open to the efforts of Christian missionaries.


What Are Their Needs?

The Siddi need good, local schools for their children. They need access to clean water, electricity and modern medicine. Most of all they need to understand that Jesus or Isa is not merely a human prophet. As the Son of God and the Savior of the world, He alone can forgive their sins and grant them abundant life.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will send more workers to help the Siddi with their spiritual and physical needs. Pray that God will open doors for missionaries to come to live with the Siddi. Pray for God-honoring methods for Siddi men to overcome their alcoholism. Ask the Lord is begin a disciple making movement among the Siddi in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Siddi (Muslim traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Siddi (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Siddi (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Badsha; Chhatri; Gamtha; Habshi; Kafira; Kafshagar; Kafshahar; Kaphre; Katabu; Landa; Mahratta Siddi; Sudagadu Siddaru; सिद्दी (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 16,000
Population all Countries 16,000
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 18795
ROP3 Code 114483
ROP25 Code 307503
ROP25 Name Siddi
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 7
Largest States
Gujarat
11,000
Karnataka
4,100
Maharashtra
300
Telangana
100
Daman and Diu
100
Goa
60
Bihar
40
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 7
  Gujarat 11,000
  Karnataka 4,100
  Maharashtra 300
  Telangana 100
  Daman and Diu 100
  Goa 60
  Bihar 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (7,300 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Kannada
3,300
Urdu
600
Marathi
200
Kacchi
30
Primary Language Gujarati (7,300 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Kannada 3,300
  Urdu 600
  Marathi 200
  Kacchi 30
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Sagar Mek 
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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