Asur in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

A number of tribal groups live in the thick forests and mineral rich land of the hilly part of the state of Jharkhand. Asur is one of them.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Asur do not mingle freely with others, making it difficult for an outsider to enter their area and build friendships. Any outsider traveling in the region is viewed with suspicion as the area is known for militant activities.
Most Asur children do not attend school, as school facilities are not easily available, and they need to walk long distances to go to school. This keeps the literacy rates among the Asur very low. It is too bad that the schools are not closer since their attitude towards education is very positive.
Most of the hard working Asur earn their livelihood as day laborers in mines. In general, the living conditions of the Asur are good. Yet, there is a sharp contrast in the lifestyles and social levels of Christian Asur versus the others. Christians among them have better access to medical facilities, are better educated and have better knowledge about the outside world.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally, they followed an animistic religion. A significant number of Asur have responded to the gospel and worship Jesus. The lack of God's word in the Asuri language has diluted their understanding of Christian living. They have absorbed many of their ancestral worship forms into the church.


What Are Their Needs?

The Asur speak a distinct language called Asuri but no portion of the scripture is available. Having the Word of God in their language would be an asset in building the foundations of the Asur Church. They could then better understand the love of God and enable the remaining Asur to clearly understand the gospel.
There is need for educational and medical facilities for the Asur people.


Prayer Points

Pray the Asur would see they can enjoy abundant life if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side and blessing them in every way.
Pray for loving workers.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Asur in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Asur
People Name in Country Asur
Alternate Names Bir Asur; असुर
Population this Country 39,000
Population all Countries 41,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16257
ROP3 Code 111379
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Jharkhand
25,000
Bihar
4,700
West Bengal
4,400
Assam
1,800
Chhattisgarh
1,600
Odisha
1,400
Tripura
20
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Jharkhand 25,000
  Bihar 4,700
  West Bengal 4,400
  Assam 1,800
  Chhattisgarh 1,600
  Odisha 1,400
  Tripura 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.03 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
8.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
51.91 %
Islam
0.59 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
38.96 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Asuri (12,000 speakers)
Language Code asr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 32
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Sadri
8,600
Maithili
4,500
Hindi
3,800
Bhojpuri
2,200
Magahi
900
Assamese
600
Santhali
600
Odia
300
Sadri, Oraon
300
Bengali
200
Kurux
200
Mundari
200
Munda
200
Ho
80
Sikkimese
50
Primary Language Asuri (12,000 speakers)
Language Code asr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 32
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Sadri 8,600
  Maithili 4,500
  Hindi 3,800
  Bhojpuri 2,200
  Magahi 900
  Assamese 600
  Santhali 600
  Odia 300
  Sadri, Oraon 300
  Bengali 200
  Kurux 200
  Mundari 200
  Munda 200
  Ho 80
  Sikkimese 50
People Groups Speaking Asuri

Primary Language:  Asuri

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2023)
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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