Barda 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

The Barda or Adivasi are small tribal people who live in west India. The word Barda means "a dweller of the hills" in the Gujarati language. Since they are an indigenous people, they are outside of the Hindu caste system. The Barda are part of the much larger Bhil tribal community. They are a Scheduled Caste meaning they are eligible for reserved pubic jobs and special consideration for university admissions.

Historically, the Barda were a hunter-gatherer people. Today most live in settled rural villages. Their main occupation is farming. The Barda own a few plots of land but most of them work on land owned by others. Very few of the Barda can read and write. Their children either do not attend school or attend for only a few years. The children quit school to help their families make a living in the fields.

The main language of the Barda is Marathi. Some also speak Gujarati and Kannada. Many Christian resources are available in all three languages, but since so many Barda are illiterate, the gospel will need to be presented to them in oral and visual form.


Where Are they Located?

The Barda people live in India's western states of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Poverty and illiteracy plague the Barda people. With little or no education, their prospects for the future are not good. Some Barda young people are becoming educated and moving into India's large cities. They hope to find a better life.

The Barda marry within their group but not within their particular clan. Sons inherit property with the eldest son becoming head of the family upon the death of his father. Marriage to one spouse is the norm.

Most Barda villages do not have electricity, indoors plumbing and access to clean water. Life expectancy is short because most Barda do not enjoy the benefits of modern medicine. Many Barda children die before the age of five. The main foods of the Barda are rice, millet, lentils, and vegetables. As Hindus they will not eat beef. Meat is often reserved for special occasions and holidays.

The Indian government and many NGOs are working to improve the lives of the Barda.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Barda people practice Hinduism heavily influenced by folk religion. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon and their own tribal deities. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. 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 Barda employ their own priests and shamans because Brahmins will not associate with tribal people.


What Are Their Needs?

The Barda have many needs. Solar panel could bring electricity to their villages. NGOs can work to provide the Barda with clean water. The Barda need help in educating their children and in learning new job skills. Most of all, the Barda need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and get them right with the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Barda people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among the Barda people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Barda people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Barda people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.


Scripture Prayers for the Barda in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barda_(tribe)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barda_Wildlife_Sanctuary


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Barda
People Name in Country Barda
Alternate Names Bardali; बर्डा
Population this Country 3,900
Population all Countries 3,900
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16328
ROP3 Code 111464
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 5
Largest States
Maharashtra
2,500
Gujarat
900
Karnataka
300
Rajasthan
100
Goa
50
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 5
  Maharashtra 2,500
  Gujarat 900
  Karnataka 300
  Rajasthan 100
  Goa 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.31 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.62 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.51 %
Islam
1.10 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.42 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (2,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarati
800
Kannada
200
Telugu
100
Hindi
100
Mewari
80
Bhili
20
Korwa
20
Tamil
10
Kacchi
10
Khandesi
10
Dangi Tulu
Konkani Urdu Kodava
Primary Language Marathi (2,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Gujarati 800
  Kannada 200
  Telugu 100
  Hindi 100
  Mewari 80
  Bhili 20
  Korwa 20
  Tamil 10
  Kacchi 10
  Khandesi 10
  Dangi 10
  Tulu 10
  Konkani 10
  Urdu 0
  Kodava 0
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Marathi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Marathi Bible (मराठी बायबल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Marathi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Marathi Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Marathi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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