Parja Jodia in India

Parja Jodia
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Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Parja Jodia
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 18,000
World Population: 18,000
Primary Language: Odia
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.24 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
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 Paroja name vaguely refers to "common citizens of the kingdom." They live in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha near other scheduled tribes. They speak Parji and Odiya.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Agriculture is their main work. They are educated to at least primary school level. They are monogamous and prefer cousin marriages. The bereaved are allowed to marry again. They only marry within their community. The dead are either buried or cremated. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son taking charge of family affairs. A village council looks after their interests.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism is their religion; however, they are not vegetarians. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for local religions of South Asia. They worship and serve various gods of the Hindu pantheon.

What Are Their Needs?

The Jodia Parja people need the blessings that only Lord Jesus Christ has to offer:Life to the full. They have a low literacy level, so the gospel will need to be given in oral form and not simply in written form. Bible resources exist in written and audio form, and the JESUS Film is available in Odia, their spoken language.

Prayer Points

Pray that the council leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead their entire people group into a disciple making movement. Pray that gospel recordings and the JESUS Film will lead hundreds to Christ. Pray for intercessors and workers.

Text Source:   Keith Carey