Bhar in India
Photo Source:
Copyrighted © 2021
India Missions Association All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source:
People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Bhar |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 1,996,000 |
| World Population: | 2,004,800 |
| Primary Language: | Bhojpuri |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Online Audio NT: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction
Many centuries ago, the Bhar community was deposed by the invading Rajput and Muslims. Their struggle with the Rajput and Muslim invaders continued for about two hundred years, at the end of which Ibrahim Shah Waarli of Jaunpur killed the last Bhar ruler. Child marriages are prevalent; however, the trend towards adult marriage is increasing. Agriculture is the main occupation of the Bhar, and they usually work as laborers in fields owned by the Muslims, Thakur and Yadav. They are Hindu and worship deities like Deeh Baba and Burhao Baba.
Ministry Obstacles
The Bhar culture is that of worshiping the spirits of created things, not the Creator God. Distinction must be made between what is created, and the One who created.
Outreach Ideas
There are many good resource materials available in the primary language of the Bhar people, but workers are needed. Pray for workers for the harvest, which is ripening.
Pray for the Followers of Christ
There may be no followers of Christ among the Bhar community today, but pray for the ones that will soon place their trust in Christ. Pray that new Bhar believers will become effective and fruitful in sharing and discussing Bible stories with their own and other families. They will need prayer support. Pray they will learn to speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Pray for access to Scripture in printed and recorded forms.
Pray for the Entire People Group
Pray for each individual in the Bhar community to have a minimum of one opportunity to hear of Jesus accurately, in his or her mother tongue. Also pray for the Bhar to make schooling a priority for their children, and for good schools to be available.