Chik Baraik in Bangladesh

People Name:	Chik Baraik
Country:	Bangladesh
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	8,700
World Population:	147,700
Primary Language:	Sylheti
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	1.47 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Tribal - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Badaik are a Scheduled Caste. The Badaik people are also called Chik and Chik-Bakaik. Like many Scheduled Castes, the Badaiks are not vegetarian. They eat mutton, chicken, fish, eggs, as well as their staple, rice. They live mainly in Odisha and Chhattisgarh, but smaller numbers live in other parts of eastern India. They speak, read and write in Odia as well as their local language, Sadri.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Until 1960 the Badaiks were dependent on weaving for their livelihood, but today many are engaged in agricultural work, though most are involved with industrial labor. Despite large-scale occupational mobility, they have retained their traditional crafts such as weaving, spinning, basketry, carpentry, pottery, thread-making, etc. They have not made significant gains in education. As India industrializes, the Badaik people have benefited from health services, roads, electricity and better drinking water.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Their Hindu worship is mostly devoted to Shiva, one of Hinduism's three main gods. Badaik religious practices draw from both Hinduism and Animistic practices. They call their community priests "pahan," and draw them from two other ethnic communities.

What Are Their Needs?

The Badaik community needs the opportunity to respond to Christ's invitation to accept his abundant blessings and salvation from sin.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will give them dreams and visions leading them to begin a movement to Christ. Pray for spiritual hunger that will lead them to Jesus Christ.
Pray for faithful intercessors and workers to make sure they have access to Christ's abundant blessings.
Pray that gospel recordings and the JESUS Film will lead many to salvation.
Pray for the Lord to give the Badaik people an abundant harvest this year as proof of his absolute power and love.