Zargar (Muslim traditions) in India
Photo Source:
Galen Frysinger
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Zargar (Muslim traditions) |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 5,400 |
| World Population: | 15,200 |
| Primary Language: | Kashmiri |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
As late as the 19th century there were reports of highway robbery by the Zargar people, and they had a bad reputation as armed robbers. Their three ancestors probably "migrated" by force to their current homelands in Pakistan and India when three brothers with giftings in goldsmith skills were moved by the Ottoman Empire.
The Zargar people are related to the Romani (Gypsy) peoples through language and culture. Their language, Zargari, is a dialect of Romani.
Where Are they Located?
Hindu Zargar people live all over northwestern India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Though they once had many clans, the Zargar people have since been simplified as a people. Like other peoples, they do not marry between religious communities, so there is no inter-marriage between Muslim and Hindu Zargars.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Most Zargar people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.
The main yearly holidays of Zargar Hindus are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
What Are Their Needs?
The Zargar peoples, be they Hindu, Muslim or Sikh, need to submit to Jesus Christ, and accept His ways so they can enjoy abundant life and forgiveness of sin.
Prayer Points
Pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done among the Zargar people.
Pray for a movement of Zargar households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Zargar people to the arms of Jesus.
Pray for workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to the Zargar people.