Sunkar Beldar in India

The Sunkar Beldar 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 Beldar are a group of Hindu people who live in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Their name Beldar means a person who digs in the ground. Thus, it is easy to understand that there are many in the Beldar caste who labor in excavating work. Because they do manual labor, they have low status in Indian society. The Beldar are part of the Sudras, the fourth level of Hindu caste system. Many of the Beldar, especially their women, are unable to read or write.

The main two languages of the Beldar peoples are Kannada and Hindi. They also speak many other regional languages depending upon where they live.


Where Are they Located?

The Beldar people largely live in central and southern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Beldar are employed in agricultural work and in construction. They are able to maintain relationships with members of other communities, sharing water sources and religious shrines. The Beldar marry within their caste. Marriage with paternal or maternal relatives is avoided. Sons inherit their father's property with the eldest son becoming the head of the family. Caste councils settle legal disputes and promote their interests.

The Beldar are not vegetarian but do not eat beef. The main foods are rice, wheat, millet, vegetables and fruit. Meat is often eaten only on special occasions due to the poverty of many Beldar families.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The primary religion practiced by the Beldar is Hinduism, the ancient religious tradition of India. Beldar 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 Beldar visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Beldar are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Beldar need help in learning new job skills. They need help in educating their children. Many rural Beldar do not have access to clean water, electricity and indoor plumbing. Most of all, the Beldar need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them new life.


Prayer Points

Pray for a chain reaction of Beldar families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change them like yeast changes dough.


Scripture Prayers for the Beldar Sunkar in India.


References

https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/beldar/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beldar
https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=41574


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Beldar Sunkar
People Name in Country Beldar Sunkar
Natural Name Sunkar Beldar
Alternate Names Chunari; Lonari; Lonkar; Lonmali; Sonkari; Uppara Chetti; Uppari; बेलदर सुनकर
Population this Country 28,000
Population all Countries 28,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 21114
ROP3 Code 117937
ROP25 Code 301046
ROP25 Name Beldar
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 8
Largest States
Karnataka
10,000
Maharashtra
8,600
Telangana
3,200
Tamil Nadu
2,100
Andhra Pradesh
1,300
Chhattisgarh
1,200
Madhya Pradesh
1,200
Odisha
300
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 8
  Karnataka 10,000
  Maharashtra 8,600
  Telangana 3,200
  Tamil Nadu 2,100
  Andhra Pradesh 1,300
  Chhattisgarh 1,200
  Madhya Pradesh 1,200
  Odisha 300
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 Kannada (8,800 speakers)
Language Code kan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Marathi
6,000
Telugu
5,400
Hindi
2,200
Chhattisgarhi
700
Odia
200
Nimadi
200
Marwari
200
Primary Language Kannada (8,800 speakers)
Language Code kan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Marathi 6,000
  Telugu 5,400
  Hindi 2,200
  Chhattisgarhi 700
  Odia 200
  Nimadi 200
  Marwari 200
People Groups Speaking Kannada

Primary Language:  Kannada

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1988)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1823-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2023)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Jesus Film: view in Kannada Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
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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