The Halba Kewat are a small group of indigenous people within a much larger Halba tribal community. The Halba Kewat live central India in the state of Chhattisgarh. The area where they live is considered one of the most beautiful areas of India with dense forests, mountains, waterfalls, caves, and natural parks.
Unfortunately, the literacy level of the Halba is low. The elementary schools in the villages often do not function properly. Halba children frequently leave school early to help their parents make a living working the fields.
The Halba speak their language of Halbi. Some Bible books, the JESUS Film and gospel recordings are available in Halbi. Many of the Halba also speak Hindi so they can communicate with outsiders.
The Halba Kewat live in villages in the east central Indian state of Chhattisgarh.
The primary occupation of the Halba Kewat is agriculture. The grow rice, millet, lentils, wheat, and vegetables. Most families also have chickens, a buffalo, goats, and pigs. For a cash crop the Halba grow cotton, which they dye and weave into blankets, mats and clothing. Elders rule the villages. They decide legal issues and deal with outsiders.
The Halba Kewat mostly marry within their group. Sometimes they will marry within the larger Halba peoples. Families arrange marriages. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's parents. A bride price is often paid to the bride's family to offset the loss of their daughter. Sons inherit property with the eldest son becoming head of the family upon the death of his father.
As a tribal group, the Halba have their own priests, shrines and shamans. The priests and shamans try to connect the Halba with the invisible world and protect them from evil spirits.
The Halba Kewat practice Hinduism, heavily influence by folk religion. 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 Halba visit Hindu shrines 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 like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.
The main yearly holidays of the Halba 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.
Solar panels could bring electricity to Halba villages. The Halba would greatly benefit by access to modern medicine. Their children will need a secondary education if the Halba are to succeed in the modern Indian economy. Most of all, the Halba need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can get them right with God and deliver them from their fear of evil spirits.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Halba Kewat family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Halba Kewat people.
Pray that soon the Halba Kewat people will have faith that is more precious and durable than gold.
Scripture Prayers for the Halba Kewat in India.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halba_(tribe)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kewat
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Halba Kewat |
People Name in Country | Halba Kewat |
Natural Name | Kewat Halba |
Alternate Names | Kewat; हलबा केवट |
Population this Country | 4,900 |
Population all Countries | 4,900 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 21139 |
ROP3 Code | 117961 |
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 |
Chhattisgarh 4,900 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
97.45 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
2.55 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Halbi (3,500 speakers) | |||
Language Code | hlb Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Halbi (3,500 speakers) |
Language Code | hlb Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Chhattisgarhi 400 | |
Hindi 200 | |
Bhatri 30 | |
People Groups | Speaking Halbi |
Primary Language: Halbi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1989-1998) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2017) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 New Testament | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Halbi | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | Gospel website in this language | General / Other |
General | Gospel website in this language | General / Other |
Mobile App | Download Bible from Google Play Store | Operation Agape |
Text / Printed Matter | Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies | World Missionary Press |
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. |