Lonari Kunbi in India

The Lonari Kunbi 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

Their name comes from an ancient Sanscrit word, Saumik, which referred to their occupation of making salt. Some were cement makers and lime burners. They originally came from Uttar Pradesh, but most now live in Maharashtra. They speak Marathi and read and write in Devanagari.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some of the Kunbi Lonari now own land and work in cultivation. They sell vegetables and other food at the market. Some work for the government. They are more likely, however, to still make cement or burn charcoal. Some still prepare salt like their ancestors. Their marriage ceremonies have several stages. Like most Hindu people groups, family elders arrange for marriages. A Brahmin priest picks an auspicious day based on astrological forecasts and a series of rituals involving heaps of rice and a betel nut. Each couple has a chosen deity to protect their marriage. They are endogamous (they prefer to marry within the caste) and have cousin marriages but do not marry others with the same surname. They allow for divorce and remarriage for various reasons including incompatibility, foul temper, adultery, and impotency. The divorced and bereaved can only marry those in a similar position to themselves. For example, a bachelor cannot marry a widow. Sons inherit the property and the dead are usually cremated.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They worship all Hindu gods and participate in all Hindu festivals. They also worship saints and gurus. They also worship certain animals such as the cobra, the horse, and the cow. Some worship banyan trees. When there is an outbreak of cholera or smallpox they worship Mari and Shtala. The cremate the dead but bury those who are small children and those who died of smallpox or leprosy.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kunbi Lonari people need to have the chance to make Jesus Christ their Lord so they can experience His life to the full.


Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual hunger that will lead these people to the foot of the cross. Pray for intercessors and workers to bless them with the presence of Christ. Pray that gospel materials and the internet will lead them to begin their own disciple making movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Kunbi Lonari in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kunbi Lonari
People Name in Country Kunbi Lonari
Natural Name Lonari Kunbi
Alternate Names Lonari; कुंबी लोनारी
Population this Country 120,000
Population all Countries 120,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 21338
ROP3 Code 118165
ROP25 Code 304381
ROP25 Name Kunbi
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
Maharashtra
103,000
Madhya Pradesh
17,000
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
  Maharashtra 103,000
  Madhya Pradesh 17,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.20 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.80 %
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 Marathi (88,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Hindi
6,400
Khandesi
4,400
Nimadi
1,500
Ahirani
40
Primary Language Marathi (88,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 6,400
  Khandesi 4,400
  Nimadi 1,500
  Ahirani 40
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
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
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
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 Marathi 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
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 Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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: Marathi 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.



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