East Indian in Guyana

People Name:	East Indian
Country:	Guyana
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	435,000
World Population:	1,348,700
Primary Language:	Hindustani, Sarnami
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	8.00 %
Evangelicals:	6.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

This people group originated in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar before they were taken to the British colony of Guyana in northern South America to work on plantations.

Where Are they Located?

Guyana is in the northern part of South America just east of Venezuela.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The economy of Guyana is largely based on agriculture and mining. The Hindi Sarnami in Guyana are most likely involved in these industries.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Hindus who came to Guyana were mainly worshippers of the Hindu god Vishnu and his incarnations such as Krishna and Rama. Their form of Hinduism changed quite a bit through the years.

In 1910 the first Hindu Arya Samaj missionary came to Guyana and became popular with the Hindus in Guyana. The Arya Samaj Movement rejects the idea of caste and the role of Brahmans as the only religious leaders. It opposes the use of images and idols in worship. Some of the Hindi Sarnami people in Guyana have left Hinduism in recent years.

What Are Their Needs?

The Hindi Sarnami people in Guyana need a spiritual hunger that will lead them to Jesus Christ. Though they are a reached people group, many of them still live and die without hearing that Jesus saves sinners.

Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual receptivity among these people who are mostly Hindu.
There are Christian resources in their language. Pray that the Hindi Sarnami people will eagerly listen to them and be drawn to the Lord.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among the Hindi Sarnami people in Guyana that will bring in the entire harvest.