Barman 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 Barman or Barman Kachari are a small group of indigenous people who live in northeast India. Their main occupation is agriculture.

The Barman officially became Hindus the in 18th century converting from their ethnic religion. In 1826, the area of Assam where the Barman live came under British control. At the time of the Partition in 1947, the Barman who lived in what is now Bangladesh migrated to Assam. The Barman are classified as a Scheduled Tribe, which means they are eligible for public jobs and special consideration for university admissions. Unfortunately, the illiteracy rate of the Barman is estimated to be 97%.
The main language of the Barman is Dimasa. Some also speak Assamese so they can communicate with outsiders. Some Christian resources are available in Dimasa including the New Testament and the JESUS Film.


Where Are they Located?

The Barman live in the northeastern Indian state of Assam.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Barman work as sharecroppers on others' land. Sharecroppers get a small percentage of the produce while the rest goes to the landowner.

The Barman grow rice, wheat, vegetables, beans, mustard, potatoes, mangos, betel nut, and coconuts. Betel nut is a mild stimulant used in south Asia. Besides farming, some Barda men work in the construction trades and logging.
The Barman marry within their group but not within their particular clan. Families arrange marriages. The newly married couples often live with or near the groom's parents.

Each Barman village has a chief or matbar. He settles legal disputes and no community activity can take place without his permission.

The Barman have their traditional costumes, music and dances, which they employ during holiday and family ceremonies. The Barman perform a dance called meshak during festivals and holidays.

The Barman make and sell bamboo items for cash. These include pipes for smoking, fishing poles, mats, and furniture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Barman practice a form of Hinduism that is heavily influenced by folk religion. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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. The Barman visit Hindu shrines 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 main yearly holidays of the Barman people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The Barman also worship their tribal deities and have their own holidays.

The Barman believe that evil spirits inhabit the forces of nature. These spirits and ancestors must be appeased through offering, rituals and prayers.


What Are Their Needs?

Solar panels can bring electricity to Barman villages. The Barman need help in educating their children. The adults need to learn how to read and write so they can better participate in India's economy. The Barman would benefit with access to modern medicine. Most of all, the Barman 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 that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Barman families and communities into a rich experience of God's blessings.
Pray for Barman families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and His finished work.
Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His gospel in the Barman community.


Scripture Prayers for the Barman in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barman_Kacharis
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayas_Ray_Barman


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Barman
People Name in Country Barman
Alternate Names Bodo Kacari; Boro; Dimacha; Kachari; Kachari Barman; बर्मन
Population this Country 7,600
Population all Countries 82,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16337
ROP3 Code 111473
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)
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 1
  Assam 7,600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.07 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.49 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.88 %
Islam
0.24 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.30 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Dimasa (3,600 speakers)
Language Code dis   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bengali
1,900
Kok Borok
600
Assamese
200
Kachari
100
Boro (India)
100
Nepali
20
Meitei
20
Khasi
20
Munda
20
Hindi
10
Newar: Pahari Bhojpuri
Chin, Thado Rajbanshi: Rajbangsi Santhali
Primary Language Dimasa (3,600 speakers)
Language Code dis   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bengali 1,900
  Kok Borok 600
  Assamese 200
  Kachari 100
  Boro (India) 100
  Nepali 20
  Meitei 20
  Khasi 20
  Munda 20
  Hindi 10
  Newar: Pahari 10
  Bhojpuri 0
  Chin, Thado 0
  Rajbanshi: Rajbangsi 0
  Santhali 0
People Groups Speaking Dimasa

Primary Language:  Dimasa

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1905-1908)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2005)
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Dimasa Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Dimasa YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Dimasa YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Dimasa Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Anonymous 
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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