Malhar Koli 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 Malhar Koli are an indigenous Hindu people group who live in western state of Maharashtra in India. The word Koli means "fisherman." Some sources consider the Malhar to be a Koli subgroups while others consider them to be separate. The Malhar are a Scheduled Tribe meaning that they are entitled to public jobs and special consideration for university admissions. The primary language of the Malhar is Marathi. Many resources are available in Marathi including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film. A tiny group among the Malhar call themselves followers of Jesus. Many Malhar are unable to read and write so the gospel will have to be presented to them in oral and visual forms.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In addition to being in the fishing business, some Malhar work as water carriers especially in the places where there is not much rain. The Mahlar often use government benefits that are available to them. They have a traditional caste council to look after their interests and settle legal disputes. The Malhar Koli are endogamous, meaning they prefer to marry within their group. They have monogamous marriages, meaning one man and one wife. Marriages are arranged by families. They allow for divorce and remarriage. On the death of the father, property goes to the sons with the oldest son taking charge as the new head of the household. As in most tribal peoples of India, illiteracy is a major issue for the Malhar especially for the women and girls. Malhar children frequently quit school after a few years to help their parents earn a living.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all of Koli are Hindus. Hindus usually have a pragmatic approach to religion; they worship the gods they believe will protect them and provide for their needs. The Hinduism of the Malhar is heavily mixed with folk religion and ancestor worship. The Malhar believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. The spirits must be appeased, or the evil spirits can bring disaster upon the people.


What Are Their Needs?

The Malhar Koli people need the opportunity to allow Jesus Christ to enrich their lives physically, economically and spiritually. Some Malhar villages are without electricity. Solar panels would greatly improve their lives. They often lack access to clean water and modern medicine. The Malhar must hear and understand the message about Jesus Christ to have their sins forgiven and to obtain eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Koli traditional council leaders will come to Jesus Christ and lead others to Him. Pray that Indian followers of Christ will lead them into an unstoppable disciple making movement to Christ. Pray that good schools and modern medicine becomes available to the Malhar. Pray that the small Malhar church would grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Koli Malhar in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Koli Malhar
People Name in Country Koli Malhar
Natural Name Malhar Koli
Alternate Names Chumli; Danbhari; Kunum; Mahratta Kunbi; Malhan; Malhar; Pan; Panbari; कोली मल्हार
Population this Country 352,000
Population all Countries 352,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 17212
ROP3 Code 112578
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)
Maharashtra
320,000
Karnataka
10,000
Madhya Pradesh
8,300
Gujarat
5,000
Telangana
4,600
Odisha
1,400
Tamil Nadu
800
Andhra Pradesh
600
Chhattisgarh
300
Uttar Pradesh
300
Kerala
300
Delhi
200
Rajasthan
200
Goa
60
Dadra and Nagar Have
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 20
  Maharashtra 320,000
  Karnataka 10,000
  Madhya Pradesh 8,300
  Gujarat 5,000
  Telangana 4,600
  Odisha 1,400
  Tamil Nadu 800
  Andhra Pradesh 600
  Chhattisgarh 300
  Uttar Pradesh 300
  Kerala 300
  Delhi 200
  Rajasthan 200
  Goa 60
  Dadra and Nagar Have 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
1.05 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.04 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.54 %
Islam
0.16 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.19 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (258,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 25
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Konkani
34,000
Gujarati
6,000
Kannada
4,300
Hindi
3,400
Telugu
1,600
Odia
1,200
Bhili
1,100
Ahirani
700
Konkani, Goan
400
Khandesi
200
Nimadi
200
Punjabi, Eastern
70
Urdu
60
Korku
30
Kacchi
20
Primary Language Marathi (258,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 25
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Konkani 34,000
  Gujarati 6,000
  Kannada 4,300
  Hindi 3,400
  Telugu 1,600
  Odia 1,200
  Bhili 1,100
  Ahirani 700
  Konkani, Goan 400
  Khandesi 200
  Nimadi 200
  Punjabi, Eastern 70
  Urdu 60
  Korku 30
  Kacchi 20
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
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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