The Koya live along the banks of the River Godavari in the Kammam district of Andhra Pradesh. They are also found in the states of Orissa and Chattisgarh.
They are mainly agriculturalists but also work as daily labourers when they do not have work in their fields. They used to be isolated, but of late they are slowly merging with mainstream Indian society and are seeing much development.
The Koya love socialising. They make use of every opportunity to meet their friends and relatives. A weekly market in each locality draws many people for this purpose, not just for selling and buying. Young boys and girls also use these socialising events to choose their life partners.
Koyas were originally animistic in faith, but now take pride in a Hindu identity. During the early years of Christian work among the Koya, those who became Christians faced much opposition from the community. Actions against them included excommunication from the community and denial of access to the water source. Over a period of time, Christian Koya became accepted, though they mingle with others only during social gatherings, not for Koya religious festivals.
Several Christian organisations are working among the Koya, providing literacy, medical and community development services along with evangelistic outreach. Several Koya churches have been established and many Koya Christians are being equipped through short-term Bible Schools to be evangelists in their own community.
The New Testament is translated and available in the Koya language. Old Testament translation is in progress. Koya songs and study materials are resources also available as audio cassettes and CDs. Although there are many Koya Christian workers and resources, many more Christian workers are needed. Pray that God will send additional workers for the growing ministry among the Koya.
The Government has done much to improve the living conditions of Koyas. Their traditional mud houses with thatched roofs have been replaced by tiled or concrete roofed houses and some have their own private toilet facilities.
Effective use of the translated New Testament in Koya churches and in the personal lives of Koya Christians.
Completion and distribution of audio recordings of the Koya New Testament.
The trial printing of the Book of Psalms.
A training facility for mother tongue translators for the OT project.
The literacy classes to increase reading of Scripture personally and in the churches.
Scripture Prayers for the Gandia Odisha in India.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
People Name General | Gandia Odisha |
People Name in Country | Gandia Odisha |
Natural Name | Odisha Gandia |
Alternate Names | गंदिया, वडिषा |
Population this Country | 4,100 |
Population all Countries | 4,100 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19045 |
ROP3 Code | 115101 |
ROP25 Code | 302551 |
ROP25 Name | Gandia |
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 |
Odisha 4,100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
2.18 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
97.65 %
|
Islam |
0.14 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.03 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Koya (1,500 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | kff Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 17 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Koya (1,500 speakers) |
Language Code | kff Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 17 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Gondi, Northern 600 | |
Odia 600 | |
Oriya, Adivasi 400 | |
Hindi 100 | |
Kharia 100 | |
Gadaba, Bodo 20 | |
Duruwa 20 | |
Juang 10 | |
Ho 10 | |
Gadaba, Pottangi Ollar 10 | |
Mundari 10 | |
Naga, Inpui 0 | |
Kuvi 0 | |
Kolami, Southeastern 0 | |
Bengali 0 | |
People Groups | Speaking Koya |
Primary Language: Koya
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1882-1889) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1997-2016) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Koya | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
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 | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | Gospel website in this language | General / Other |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Koya | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Koya | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |