Makwana (Hindu traditions) 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

Makwana is a sub-group of the larger Koli caste. In the 19th century the Makwana could not or would not pay their taxes to the British government. As a result, the land of the Makwana was taken away and given to other castes. The Makwana began raiding and stealing from the occupants of their former land. The British then classified the Makwana are a Criminal Caste. The Makwana started a rebellion against the British in 1914 while the British were fighting in WWI.
Upon the Partition of India in 1947, the new government granted the Makwana status as an Other Backward Caste which means they are eligible for certain government jobs and special university admissions. As Makwana have become educated, many have become successful businesspersons. Many Makwana still work in their traditional occupations of agriculture and fishing.
The Makwana speak Gujarati as their primary language. Educated Makwana also speak Hindi and English. A revised complete Gujarati Bible became available in 2021. Most Makwana live in the western Indian state of Gujarat.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lifestyle of the Makwana depends much upon their educational level. College graduates work in Gujarati cities. They own businesses and work as managers and business employees. Less educated Makwana maintain in rural areas work farmers and fishermen. Some Makwana own the land they farm while others work on land as tenants. Their main crops are rice, vegetables, fruits, tea, bananas, palm oil, and grains.
Many young Makwana are leaving their homes in rural areas and moving to cities looking for economic and educational opportunities.
Monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the norm. Makwana tend to marry within their group.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of the Makwana are Hindus. A small number became Muslims during the period when Muslims dominated the government of Gujarat. The central god of the Makwana is Krishna, the 8th avatar of Vishnu, the preserver god.
Hinduism is the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.
There are few if any Christians among the Makwana of India.


What Are Their Needs?

The worldview of a Hindu is much different than the one of Christians. The Makwana must come to understand that there is only one true Creator God. He is absolutely holy and hates sin. The Makwana will need to see the love and holiness of Christ demonstrated by believers.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send workers to the Hindu Makwana of western India.
Pray the Lord moves Indian believers to reach out to and build redemptive relationships with the Makwana.
Pray that the Lord leads Makwana to tune into Gujarati radio programs and read the Gujarati Bible.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to raise up a disciple making movement among the Makwana of India.


Scripture Prayers for the Makwana (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koli_people
https://www.worldhistory.org/Krishna/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Makwana (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Makwana (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names मकवाना (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 75,000
Population all Countries 75,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17421
ROP3 Code 112822
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 2
Largest States
Gujarat
75,000
Madhya Pradesh
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 2
  Gujarat 75,000
  Madhya Pradesh 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (66,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Koli, Wadiyari
200
Primary Language Gujarati (66,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Koli, Wadiyari 200
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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 Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
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 Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 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: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Gujarati Bible (ગુજરાતી બાઇબલ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Gujarati Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Gujarati Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Gujarati Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  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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