Kathodi 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: 8

Subgroup Name Population
Dhor Kathodi 24,000
Son Kathodi 24,000
Dhor Katkari 200
Katkari Unknown
Son Katkari Unknown
Athavar Unknown
Sidhi Unknown
Varap Unknown

Introduction / History

The Kathodi are an indigenous people who live in west India, mostly the Indian state of Maharashtra. The name Kathodi relates to the juice of the acacia catechu tree. During colonial days, the British rulers considered them to be an undesirable class of criminals. At that time the Kathodi lived in the forests and moved about in the pattern of nomads, fishing and hunting for their food. Today most Kathodi reside on in rural villages and work in agriculture. The Kathodi are a Scheduled Tribe which means they are eligible for public jobs and spots in Indian universities. Their primary language is Marathi. Illiteracy is a major issue for the Kathodi. The gospel will need to be given to them in oral and visual forms. A small fraction of the Kathodi claim to be believers in Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Kathodi live near the forests and hills where they hunt wildlife and gather products of the that they can sell such as honey, firewood and charcoal. Others work are farm laborers on land owned by others. They are often poor, bonded laborers in Greater Mumbai area on tea, coffee, palm, banana and coconut plantations. Some Kathodi have moved to cities hoping for a better life. With few resources and job skills, they live in urban slums. They are noted for eating rodents which almost all Indians find abhorrent. They have monogamous marriages, meaning marriage is between one man and one woman. They have community councils to settle disputes and promote their interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kathodi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their brand of Hinduism is strongly influenced by folk religion. 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 Kathodi 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Kathodi 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 caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Kathodi face discrimination in many forms. Some believe that the Kathodi people are involved with sorcery and black magic.


What Are Their Needs?

The Kathodi people need to find ways to earn a decent living. They need political power to protect themselves. They need to learn new job skills and a basic level of literacy. Most of all the Kathodi must hear and understand the good news about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them a sure hope for the future.


Prayer Points

Pray that the community council and village leaders will come to Jesus Christ and lead others into a Disciple Making Movement. Pray that gospel recordings will bring them to salvation. Pray for spiritual openness to the things of Christ and a hunger for the truth of the word of God. Pray the Lord sends Indian workers to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of the Kathodi.


Scripture Prayers for the Kathodi in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kathodi
People Name in Country Kathodi
Alternate Names Kaikari; Kalhodia; Katakari; Kathkori; Kathodia; Kathor; Katkari; Katvadi; कत्ड़ी
Population this Country 354,000
Population all Countries 354,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 17300
ROP3 Code 112678
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Tribal - other
People Group Kathodi
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 8
  Dhor Kathodi 24,000
  Son Kathodi 24,000
  Dhor Katkari 200
  Katkari 100
  Son Katkari 100
  Athavar 80
  Sidhi 70
  Varap 60
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 10
Largest States
Maharashtra
322,000
Gujarat
16,000
Goa
7,500
Rajasthan
5,500
Madhya Pradesh
1,500
Karnataka
500
Chhattisgarh
200
Dadra and Nagar Have
200
Daman and Diu
100
Delhi
90
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 10
  Maharashtra 322,000
  Gujarat 16,000
  Goa 7,500
  Rajasthan 5,500
  Madhya Pradesh 1,500
  Karnataka 500
  Chhattisgarh 200
  Dadra and Nagar Have 200
  Daman and Diu 100
  Delhi 90
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.09 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.31 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.04 %
Islam
0.21 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.33 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (223,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 27
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Konkani
50,000
Katkari
13,000
Gujarati
12,000
Konkani, Goan
6,200
Hindi
2,500
Kannada
1,800
Bhili
1,800
Mewari
1,200
Dangi
1,000
Telugu
700
Tamil
100
Marwari (India)
90
Wagdi
70
Urdu
70
Haroti: Harauti
50
Primary Language Marathi (223,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 27
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Konkani 50,000
  Katkari 13,000
  Gujarati 12,000
  Konkani, Goan 6,200
  Hindi 2,500
  Kannada 1,800
  Bhili 1,800
  Mewari 1,200
  Dangi 1,000
  Telugu 700
  Tamil 100
  Marwari (India) 90
  Wagdi 70
  Urdu 70
  Haroti: Harauti 50
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 Copyrighted © 2024  Santosh Nimbalkar - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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