Dhobi Kanaujia in India

People Name:	Dhobi Kanaujia
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	507,000
World Population:	509,000
Primary Language:	Hindi
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Traditionally, the Dhobi were the ones who washed laundry in the Hindu world, be it India or Nepal. They are one of the lower status communities. One of their subgroups are the Kanaujia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

When a Dhobi girl marries, her dowry usually contains just a few items, but almost always an iron. After the men wash the customers' clothes, the women iron them and keep the money they earn to pay for household expenses. Mothers teach the girls to iron at an early age, and boys help their fathers by washing the smaller articles of clothing and by delivering packages of clean clothes to their owners.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Kanaujia Dhobis follow popular Hinduism and worship local gods as well as the washing stones. The vast majority remain Hindu, but they have contact with other communities. Hindus have a pragmatic view of the spirit world. Therefore, Kanaujia Dhobis often worship whatever spiritual force they believe will help them with their practical needs.

What Are Their Needs?

All Dhobi groups, including the Kanaujias, need job training. It's very possible that their livelihood will be replaced in the decades to come leaving them unemployed.

Prayer Points

There are all kinds of gospel materials in the Hindi language, spoken by most Kanaujia Dhobis. Pray for them to find and embrace these resources.
Pray that the Dhobi would hear the gospel and discover that only Jesus Christ can wash away their sins.
Pray for workers to go to the Kanaujia Dhobi in India.
Pray that the Holy Spirit would give the Kanaujia Dhobi such spiritual hunger that they will not be satisfied until they taste and see that the Lord is good.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Kanaujia Dhobi in India

References