Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan


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 Bharbhunja of Pakistan have their name from their traditional occupation of roasting grains. "Bharbhunja" means frying pan or one who roasts grain in Sanskrit. Some Bharbhunja claim they are descendants of Brahmin or Kshatriya, the two highest castes of Hinduism but other castes place them in the fourth or lowest caste. At one time all Bharbhunja were Hindus. However, with the coming of Muslim rulers to north India and Pakistan, some Bharbhunja converted to Islam.

The Bharbhunja buy grain from other agricultural castes, then roast or parch it to sell this grain to others. The parched grain can serve as a snack or as food for travelers or soldiers. The roasted grain is lighter in weight and lasts longer than uncooked grain.

Besides roasting grain, the Bharbhunja own roadside restaurants, work as laborers and run small businesses. Some Bharbhunja have taken advantage of the Pakistani educational system and become professionals, doctors, teachers and engineers.
The primary languages of the Muslim Bharbhunja of Pakistan are Urdu and Sindh.


Where Are they Located?

The Muslim Bharbhunja live in southeast Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Bharbhunja depend on their level of education. Most still live in rural areas where modern conveniences do not exist. Electricity, indoor plumbing and access to clean water are the exceptions not the rule. Children often work along side their parents and receive only a minimal education

The Bharbhunja practice clan exogamy that is they marry within their caste but not within their family or clan. Parents arrange marriages. Muslim imams perform the weddings and other important life rituals. Sons inherit property from their parents. Child marriage was previously common but this custom has been largely replaced by adult marriage.

Muslim Bharbhunja are not vegetarians. They do refrain from eating pork. Their diet consists mainly of rice, wheat, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and dairy products.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bharbhunja people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They attempt to obey the teachings of the Qur 'an and the prophet Muhammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Muslim Bharbhunja people need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to realize that Allah and Islam will never satisfy the deepest longings of their hearts or forgive their sins.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord sends workers to the Muslim Bharbhunja who will show them the love and mercy of Christ.
Pray that Pakistani Christians would reach out to the Bharbhunja with the gospel and give them gospel materials.
Pray that the Lord wins some Muslim Bharbhunja to Himself and that Bible-believing churches begin among them.


Scripture Prayers for the Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bharbhunja
peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/bharbhunja/


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Bharbhunja (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation bar-BOON-jah
Alternate Names भरभूंजा (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 5,800
Population all Countries 79,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16413
ROP3 Code 111564
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Sindh 5,800
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (3,500 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Urdu
2,000
Kacchi
100
Dhatki
80
Primary Language Sindhi (3,500 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Urdu 2,000
  Kacchi 100
  Dhatki 80
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
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 Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
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 David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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