Dhanka Bhil in India

The Dhanka Bhil 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

The name Dhanka is related to the word hill or bow. Others claim their name is related to a term for forest dweller. Some believe they are one of the Bhil subgroups. Dhanka are a scheduled tribe except in Madhya Pradesh. They live in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They no longer have any land for farming so they migrate to the cities. The Dhanka often work in electricity and waterworks departments. The literacy of the Dhanka is 65%, one of the highest of the tribes of Rajasthan. Although the Dhanka are known as hard workers, they are often very poor. They need a proper share of reservation land. On the death of the father, all of the children get the same share of the property. The bereaved and divorced can marry again. The Dhanka people only marry within their community. They have a traditional council. They prefer traditional medicine, but they use modern medicines in more serious cases.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism is their religion. Spiritual beliefs of Hindus are very diverse from those who worship only one god to those who worship hundreds of them to those who are philosophical and do not worship any.


What Are Their Needs?

Dhanka people need fair job opportunities.


Prayer Points

Pray for them to experience the spiritual and social blessings of Christ who came to give life to the full. Pray that gospel recordings and the JESUS Film will give them the willingness to consider the claims of Christ. Pray that Indian believers will help lead them into a disciple making movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhil Dhanka in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

Additional Info
Central Bhil profile for Children and Family Missions Activities
People Name General Bhil Dhanka
People Name in Country Bhil Dhanka
Natural Name Dhanka Bhil
Alternate Names भील ढँका
Population this Country 96,000
Population all Countries 96,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 21012
ROP3 Code 117863
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
Gujarat
70,000
Maharashtra
24,000
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
  Gujarat 70,000
  Maharashtra 24,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.48 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.24 %
Islam
0.12 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.16 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (53,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Marathi
18,000
Bhili
3,800
Vasavi
3,000
Dungra Bhil
1,400
Khandesi
400
Sindhi Bhil
400
Bareli, Pauri
300
Mawchi
200
Bareli, Rathwi
60
Primary Language Gujarati (53,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Marathi 18,000
  Bhili 3,800
  Vasavi 3,000
  Dungra Bhil 1,400
  Khandesi 400
  Sindhi Bhil 400
  Bareli, Pauri 300
  Mawchi 200
  Bareli, Rathwi 60
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)
Bible-NT Audio 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, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, 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
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.