Barwala (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan


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

Traditionally Barwalas have worked as village watchmen and messengers, overseeing the work of coolies, bearing torches, and carrying palanquins at weddings. Others manufactured mats and winnowing fans. They are considered to be from a low caste, meaning that they have very little influence or power.

By the beginning of the 20th century, many were agricultural laborers working for the more prestigious Rajputs.


Where Are they Located?

Most of the Muslim Barwala people live in rural areas. They live in the Sialkot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Others live further north in Pakistan's portion of Jammu and Kashmir. There are a few Barwala people in India, but most of these are Hindu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today most of them are engaged in agriculture or as unskilled laborers. The Barwalas live mainly in nuclear households. The oldest son becomes the head of the household after the father dies. They allow for divorce and remarriage. There are 12 major Barwala clans in Pakistan.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Barwala people are Hindu, especially those that live in India, but in Pakistan most are Muslims. Though they adhere to the basic tenets of Islam, they are adversely affected by the caste system which influences people in almost all of South Asia.


What Are Their Needs?

The Barwala people need the opportunity to make a better living. They also need to understand that though they are from a low status community, that the God of creation gives them dignity and value.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Barwala peoples will have an intense hunger for spiritual truth that will lead them to Jesus Christ.
Pray that the Lord will thrust out workers to the Barwala people. Pray that these workers will be equipped with the power and fruit of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Pray for the Lord to pave the way for a disciple-making movement to flourish among the Barwala people of Pakistan.


Scripture Prayers for the Barwala (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


References

https://newpakhistorian.wordpress.com/tag/barwala-caste-of-pakistan/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Barwala (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Barwala (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation bar-VAH-lah
Alternate Names Barwar; बरवाला (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 624,000
Population all Countries 626,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 12
PeopleID3 17485
ROP3 Code 112898
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Punjab
550,000
Sindh
67,000
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
5,200
Islamabad
800
Balochistan
400
Gilgit-Baltistan
30
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 6
  Punjab 550,000
  Sindh 67,000
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 5,200
  Islamabad 800
  Balochistan 400
  Gilgit-Baltistan 30
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (372,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Saraiki
128,000
Urdu
43,000
Sindhi
38,000
Marwari (Pakistan)
12,000
Pahari-Potwari
8,000
Hindko, Northern
2,700
Hindko, Southern
2,100
Bagri
1,400
Dhatki
1,000
Pashto, Northern
700
Koli, Wadiyari
300
Kacchi
300
Pashto, Central
100
Primary Language Punjabi, Western (372,000 speakers)
Language Code pnb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Saraiki 128,000
  Urdu 43,000
  Sindhi 38,000
  Marwari (Pakistan) 12,000
  Pahari-Potwari 8,000
  Hindko, Northern 2,700
  Hindko, Southern 2,100
  Bagri 1,400
  Dhatki 1,000
  Pashto, Northern 700
  Koli, Wadiyari 300
  Kacchi 300
  Pashto, Central 100
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Western

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Western

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1885-1922)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-2021)
Bible-Complete No
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 DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Western Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Western YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Western Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Naveed Akhtar 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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