Ghatwar Bhuiya 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 Ghatwar Bhuiya are a Hindu agricultural people who live in the northeastern Indian states of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Bihar. A much smaller population lives in Bangladesh. Their name means "owner of soil." At one time they were nomadic hunter-gatherers but now they are settled agricultural workers. Ironically unlike their name meaning, most Ghatwar are now landless. They toil in fields owned by other higher castes. The Bhuiyas include six subgroups, one of which is the Ghatwar. The primary language of the Bangladeshi Ghatwar is Bengali. A tiny fraction of the Ghatwar claim to be followers of Christ. Many Ghatwar are unable to read and write so the gospel must be shared with them in oral and visual forms.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The majority of the Ghatwar are landless farm workers. In urban areas some Ghatwar work as day laborers in construction and in factories. They are not vegetarians but as poor Bangladeshi most of their diet is composed of plants since meat is costly. As Hindus they will not eat beef. The Ghatwar marry within their group. Marriage to one spouse is theirs regular practice. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Young people often marry in their teens. Sons inherit property upon their father's death. A caste council settles legal disputes and promotes their interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bangladeshi Ghatwar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Their Hinduism is influenced by animism. 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 Ghatwar 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 Ghatwar 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. Dalits and tribal peoples are outside of the caste system. The Ghatwar fit into the working caste.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ghatwar Bhuiya people need to accept the abundant life offered only by Jesus Christ. They need to learn new job skills to improve their place in Bangladeshi society. Their children need good schools and teachers. Most of all the Ghatwar must hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them the hope of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead the Ghatwar to seek and find Christ. Pray that gospel recordings and other Christian resources will provide them with the means to begin an unstoppable disciple making movement to Christ. Pray that they will be lifted up in prayer by many in the family of God. Pray that Bangladeshi believers will go the Ghatwar and tell them about Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhuiya Ghatwar in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bhuiya Ghatwar
People Name in Country Bhuiya Ghatwar
Natural Name Ghatwar Bhuiya
Alternate Names Ghataur; Ghatwal; भुईया घटवार
Population this Country 364,000
Population all Countries 367,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
People ID 21122
ROP3 Code 117945
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 6
Largest States
Jharkhand
256,000
West Bengal
60,000
Bihar
30,000
Odisha
12,000
Tripura
400
Andaman and Nicobar
200
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 6
  Jharkhand 256,000
  West Bengal 60,000
  Bihar 30,000
  Odisha 12,000
  Tripura 400
  Andaman and Nicobar 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.05 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.18 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.76 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (159,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Magahi
82,000
Bengali
44,000
Odia
9,800
Powari
3,900
Bhojpuri
3,200
Sadri
700
Angika
600
Maithili
300
Santhali
100
Primary Language Hindi (159,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Magahi 82,000
  Bengali 44,000
  Odia 9,800
  Powari 3,900
  Bhojpuri 3,200
  Sadri 700
  Angika 600
  Maithili 300
  Santhali 100
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  (1835-2022)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Bible-NT Text 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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.