Boya 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.

Subgroups: 2

Subgroup Name Population
Pedda 126,000
Kannada 21,000

Introduction / History

The Boya can be found throughout Andhra Pradesh. However, they are found mainly in the Kurnool, Anantapur and Guntur districts. They speak Telugu and use Telugu script for writing. They are called 'Boya' in Andhra Pradesh, 'Boyar' in Tamil nadu and 'Bhovi' in Karnataka. Boya, Boyar, Boyi, Bhovi are the hereditary and clan titles. Boyar caste consists of many gotras.

The Boya are considered one of the oldest castes and origin among many castes in India. The Boyars migrated from Indo-Iran around 5th century BC to Indian sub-continent and later 9th century to Turkey, Ireland and Romania. Boyars have Dravidian roots came from Indus Valley invaded south region. Boyars are mainly found in South India as Hindu Telugu speaking community and non-pure kshatriyas. The Boyar arrived in Andhra - Odisha region during Indo-Aryan migration around 5th century BC. Boyar warriors served as military regiment between 10th century to 15th century in Chalukya, Chola, Vijayanagar and Hoysala empires.

The Musunuri Nayaks were Boyars and Kamma warrior chieftains in the Kakatiya army, who regained Andhra in 1326 from the Delhi Sultanate in the aftermath of the Kakatiya defeat. King Pratapa Rudras Kakatiya kingdom was served by seventy five chieftains called Nayaks. The Nayaks who belonged to various agrarian castes such as Boyar, Velama, Kamma, Reddy, Telaga, Balija, etc. were divided by mutual jealousy and rivalry but they are valiant cousins. Later in 17th century Boyars distinguished themselves as smiths, sculptors, nobles, leaders, priests, landlords, temple sculptors, arm traders and sea farers.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Rice, ragi and jowar are their stable cereals. Agriculture is their main occupation. They also work as laborers on an annual wage basis. Only a small number are employed in government offices. Child labor is prevalent.

They live in nuclear families and follow patrilocal residence. Marriages are arranged by parents and dowry is a popular practice. A divorced man can remarry but a divorced woman is not allowed to remarry. Cross-cousin and maternal uncle-nice marriages have preference.

Unlike most Hindu communities, the Boya bury their dead.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They worship gods such as Malavobulesu, Chettu Devara and Mabbu Devara.

On special occasions young boys perform a folk dance called Kilata or Kolanna. New clothes are offered during the Ugadi and Sankranti festivals as a form ancestor worship. They work as laborers who set up pandals and carry lights on festive occasion.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.


Prayer Points

For the salvation of entire Boya families. May they take the name of Christ to other families.

Pray for various developmental programs to improve their lives.

Pray for loving workers to go to the Boya people.


Scripture Prayers for the Boya in India.


References

India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Boya
People Name in Country Boya
Pronunciation BOW-yah
Alternate Names Bedar; Bestha; Bhovi; Boyar; Boyi; Chaduru; Chaduru Boya; Chinna; Chudinayakulu; Donga Boya; Dora; Ellapi; Gangavar; Gentu; Gunta; Gurikara; Kalawathilla Boya; Kavalivaru (Naidu); Kirathaka; Mutharasulu; Naicker; Naidu; Nayakudu; Nishad; Nishadas; Oddar; Pedda; Sabari; Sunkulamma Boya; Talari; Vaddar; Vaidu; Valmiki; Waidu; Yellapulu; बोया
Population this Country 4,518,000
Population all Countries 4,535,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 90
PeopleID3 16518
ROP3 Code 111690
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 20
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Tamil Nadu
2,166,000
Andhra Pradesh
1,968,000
Karnataka
330,000
Maharashtra
21,000
Puducherry
13,000
Telangana
3,700
Odisha
3,300
Goa
2,700
Kerala
2,500
Delhi
1,800
West Bengal
1,700
Chhattisgarh
1,500
Uttar Pradesh
900
Madhya Pradesh
900
Assam
700
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 20
  Tamil Nadu 2,166,000
  Andhra Pradesh 1,968,000
  Karnataka 330,000
  Maharashtra 21,000
  Puducherry 13,000
  Telangana 3,700
  Odisha 3,300
  Goa 2,700
  Kerala 2,500
  Delhi 1,800
  West Bengal 1,700
  Chhattisgarh 1,500
  Uttar Pradesh 900
  Madhya Pradesh 900
  Assam 700
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.99 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Telugu (2,929,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Tamil
653,000
Kannada
405,000
Konkani
6,200
Malayalam
2,700
Konkani, Goan
1,900
Marathi
1,900
Tulu
1,000
Odia
500
Bengali
60
Hindi
Primary Language Telugu (2,929,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Tamil 653,000
  Kannada 405,000
  Konkani 6,200
  Malayalam 2,700
  Konkani, Goan 1,900
  Marathi 1,900
  Tulu 1,000
  Odia 500
  Bengali 60
  Hindi 10
People Groups Speaking Telugu

Primary Language:  Telugu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2022)
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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