Batgama in Sri Lanka

The Batgama have only been reported in Sri Lanka
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 2

Subgroup Name Population
Badgam Berava 33,000
Gahala Berava 33,000

Introduction / History

Bathgama people derive their name from Bath/rice, and gama/village in the Sinhala language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The primary language of Batgame people in Sri Lanka is Sinhala. Their primary occupation is farming, and their staple food is rice. The laws of Buddhism dictate their lives and values.


Buddhism is an atheistic religion and reincarnation is part of their belief. Both beliefs conflict with biblical teaching.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Batgama people in Sri Lanka practice Buddhism, the major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha, who lived in the 6th and 5th century BC in ancient India. He taught that by following the path of right intentions and right actions, a Buddhist can achieve nirvana or a state of freedom and salvation.


What Are Their Needs?

Although the Bible, audio and visual resources exist in Sinhala, the primary language of the Batgama people, they remain an unreached people group. Their most important need is to understand that Almighty God has provided a full payment for their sins, that they are infinitely loved, and that a place of peace and joy has been prepared for them if they will believe Him.


Prayer Points

Pray that Lord Jesus will send believers who understand their Sinhala language and the spiritual mindset of Batgama people. Pray that Batgama people would have the opportunity to place their faith in Jesus Christ and become brothers and sisters in Him. Pray that a Disciple Making Movement will begin among them that will transform their communities and families, bringing God's blessings.


Scripture Prayers for the Batgama in Sri Lanka.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathgama https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/sinhalese-castes-1155721985


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Batgama
People Name in Country Batgama
Pronunciation baht-GAH-mah
Alternate Names बटगमा
Population this Country 389,000
Population all Countries 389,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 8
People ID 21388
ROP3 Code 118193
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Central
93,000
Sabaragamuwa
90,000
North Western
80,000
Uva
58,000
North Central
42,000
Western
20,000
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 6
  Central 93,000
  Sabaragamuwa 90,000
  North Western 80,000
  Uva 58,000
  North Central 42,000
  Western 20,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
98.52 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
1.48 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sinhala (389,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sinhala (389,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sinhala
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2023  Sarii Iuliia - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.