Chamar (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh


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 Chamar people are also known as Bhambi, Asadaru, Khalpa, Machigar, Lingayat, Mochi and Rohit. They live primarily in India's western states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar. Smaller numbers live in other countries of South Asia such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are considered to have very low status, and most of them know nothing else their entire lives. Because of their low status, they are considered unworthy of any sort of provision by Hindu society. This translates into frequent joblessness, lack of education and lifelong poverty. Traditional high-status members will even avoid their shadow.
Their main occupation is manufacturing shoes and chappals from finished leather. Besides this, they are engaged in daily-wage labor and petty business. Day labor and petty business are also main sources of income, along with the manufacture of shoes and chappal, an Indian sandal. The origins of the name "chamar" come from their leather work. Women are also involved in agricultural work, animal husbandry and various economic activities. The Bhambi Khalpa community repairs musical instruments like dhol and nagara which are played in the temples during worship.
The Chamar practice monogamy (one husband, one wife) in marriage. Dowry is largely prevalent and is paid in cash and kind. Remarriage is allowed for widowers but not for the widows. The dead body of a bachelor is buried lying on its back with the head facing the south, whereas others are cremated, and their mortal remains are immersed in sacred water. Rice balls are offered to the dead and to ancestors on the tenth day after death.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Even in Muslim Bangladesh the Chamar are Hindu. They belong to the Shiva and Bhagvat sects. Their deities are Bahiroba, Janai, Kandova of Jejori and Bhawani of Tuljapur. They follow the spiritual teachings of Ravidas. They recite mythological tales and sing songs from the religious epics. They celebrate the festivals such as Diwali, Panchami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Kartik, Holi and Hannami.
There is a slightly higher degree of responsiveness to the gospel among the Chamars than among other low cllow status groups. There is a church planting movement underway among Chamars in several districts across India.


What Are Their Needs?

The religious system is a key part of their identity, leaving no room in their hearts for Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Chamar people to find their sense of worth in the King of kings.
For the salvation of the Chamar people and that God may send several Christian workers among them and meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray that these Chamar believers will be salt and light to Chamar communities throughout Bangladesh.
Pray that church planting will grow across all Chamar communities.
Pray for more workers to enter the Chamar harvest.


Scripture Prayers for the Chamar (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chamar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Chamar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation chah-MAR
Alternate Names Ahirwar; Arya; Asadaro; Asodi; Bagri; Bhambi; Bola; Budhan; Chamadollu; Chamana; Chambada; Chambhar. Moci; Chamehar; Chamling; Changar; Chanial; Charmakar Rishi; Chembadi; Chemidi; Chitrakar; Das; Dhakaro; Dhekaru; Dhusia; Dohar; Dohare; Gangaputrulu; Golia; Haralayya; Harijan; Jaiswar; Jata Chamar; Jatav; Jatia; Jatia Chamar; Khalpa; Kureel; Laskaria Raigar; Lingayat; Machigar; Mehtar; Mochi; Moci; Mocia; Muchia; Muci; Natarlu; Parvatharaja kulam; Raidasi; Raigar; Raighar; Ram; Ramdasi; Raudari; Ravidasi; Regar; Rehgar; Rohit; Ruidas; Shankhwar; Sindhi Jatia; चामर (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 78,000
Population all Countries 52,186,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 16561
ROP3 Code 111752
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Dhaka
28,000
Rajshahi
17,000
Khulna
15,000
Rangpur
9,800
Chittagong
4,800
Barisal
2,400
Sylhet
1,900
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Dhaka 28,000
  Rajshahi 17,000
  Khulna 15,000
  Rangpur 9,800
  Chittagong 4,800
  Barisal 2,400
  Sylhet 1,900
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
2.08 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.92 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (75,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Sylheti
1,900
Chittagonian
1,100
Kok Borok
50
Primary Language Bengali (75,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Sylheti 1,900
  Chittagonian 1,100
  Kok Borok 50
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

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Photo Source Anonymous 
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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