Bhabra (Sikh traditions) in India
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Bhabra (Sikh traditions) |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,200 |
| World Population: | 2,200 |
| Primary Language: | Punjabi, Eastern |
| Primary Religion: | Other / Small |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Sikh - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Small groups of Sikh Bhabra live in northeast India. Most of the Bhabra people who live in India are Jains and Hindus, but a small number are Sikhs. The Bhabra originally lived in Pakistan. Many left Pakistan during the Partition of 1947.
The Bhabra are an ancient merchant community. They engage in trade and business in both cities and in rural areas.
The primary language of the Sikh Bhabra is Eastern Punjabi. The whole Bible and the JESUS Film are available in this language. Many of the Bhabra also speak Hindi and English.
Where Are they Located?
The Sikh Bhabra live in Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Much of the lives of the Sikh Bhabra revolve around their faith. They marry only within their group. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Sikh parents encourage both their sons and daughters to obtain a university education. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Sikh Bhabra often own and manage businesses and work in the banking and investment industries.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Though some are Hindus, Muslims or Jains, there are Sikhs among the Bhabra people. Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.
One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They venerate their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.
What Are Their Needs?
Wealth and pride can often keep people from considering the claims of Jesus Christ. The Sikh Bhabra need humility to see themselves as a sinners in need of a Savior.
Prayer Points
Pray for families of Bhabra believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of Bhabra families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Bhabra society as all believers learn to love others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Bhabra people like yeast changes dough.