Kunbi Mahratta 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 Mahratta Kunbi people group was originally a Marathi speaking people, but now Gujarati is also a prominent language. The word "kunbi" is a derivation from the Sanskrit word "Kutumbin" or "householder". There is often confusion about the distinction between the Mahratta people group and the Mahratta Kunbi people group. The primary distinction is in wealth and a common origin is assumed between the two groups. The Mahratta people group tends to have come from chieftain and warrior heritage, while the Kunbi people group is primarily farmers. Both people groups are the dominant caste in the Maharashtra state and make up about half of the population. The fact that the Mahratta and Mahratta Kunbi people groups often intermarry is further evidence for their common origins and an argument for them being one people group.


Where Are they Located?

The Mahratta Kunbi people group is primarily located within the Maharashtra and Gojarat states. Smaller populations can be found throughout India and also in Pakistan by the India-Pakistan border. Since the state of Maharastra is one of the more urban regions in India, many Mahratta Kunbis have migrated towards urban communities, but the majority still live in rural villages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mahratta Kunbis primarily live as farmers in villages. They often own small houses and work animals to assist in cultivating their farms. Many Kunbis are also traders, soldiers, or work in the government service. The Mahratta Kunbi people group practices arranged marriages often at an early age. A dowry is also common amongst the arrangements. Coming from a higher social class, the Mahratta Kunbis do not face discrimination, but have opportunities for social advancement though they are still primarily a part of the lower-income groups in India.

Due to their heavy dependence on farming, agricultural festivals are an important part of life as a Mahratta Kunbi. The cattle owned by families are often the centerpieces of these festivals and families take great pride in their ownership.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mahratta Kunbis are a vastly Hindu people group with little or no other religious affiliations. They worship the god Shiva and other gods and their various incarnations, such as Vishnu and Devi. A temple is commonplace amongst villages and central to the many life cycle celebrations that are associated with Hinduism, such as at birth, marriage, and death. The temple priest is often from the Brahmin class.


What Are Their Needs?

As they still tend to be poor, the Mahratta Kunbis need economic justice. Specifically as farmers, the Mahratta Kunbi could use more efficient farming techniques, better seeds, and advanced farming technology. There are also many health problems associated with poverty and healthcare is necessary throughout most of the state of India.

Access to financial and other economic services is also limited in many of the regions that the Mahratta Kunbi live in. Women also live restricted lives and social justice is an important issue throughout India.


Prayer Points

God would raise missionaries with a heart to serve the Mahratta Kunbi people group.
God would create the seeds of social change for women and economic development for all Mahratta Kunbis.
God would move in the hearts of the Mahratta Kunbi people and that they would respond positively to the Gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Mahratta Kunbi in India.


Profile Source:   Levi Boxell  

People Name General Mahratta Kunbi
People Name in Country Mahratta Kunbi
Natural Name Kunbi Mahratta
Pronunciation KOON-bee mah-RAH-tah
Alternate Names महरातटा कुंबी
Population this Country 8,575,000
Population all Countries 8,718,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 172
PeopleID3 17599
ROP3 Code 113030
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 26
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarat
4,947,000
Maharashtra
3,385,000
Karnataka
105,000
Madhya Pradesh
53,000
Telangana
22,000
Goa
11,000
Daman and Diu
9,800
Tamil Nadu
9,100
Rajasthan
8,000
West Bengal
4,700
Delhi
4,300
Chhattisgarh
3,100
Andhra Pradesh
2,500
Kerala
2,000
Dadra and Nagar Have
2,000
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 26  (only 20 largest shown)
  Gujarat 4,947,000
  Maharashtra 3,385,000
  Karnataka 105,000
  Madhya Pradesh 53,000
  Telangana 22,000
  Goa 11,000
  Daman and Diu 9,800
  Tamil Nadu 9,100
  Rajasthan 8,000
  West Bengal 4,700
  Delhi 4,300
  Chhattisgarh 3,100
  Andhra Pradesh 2,500
  Kerala 2,000
  Dadra and Nagar Have 2,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.96 %
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 (4,107,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Marathi
2,675,000
Hindi
316,000
Konkani
144,000
Khandesi
124,000
Kacchi
72,000
Konkani, Goan
54,000
Ahirani
50,000
Kannada
20,000
Koli, Wadiyari
15,000
Sourashtra
7,500
Nimadi
7,300
Telugu
6,000
Chhattisgarhi
1,100
Marwari (India)
1,000
Malvi
500
Primary Language Gujarati (4,107,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Marathi 2,675,000
  Hindi 316,000
  Konkani 144,000
  Khandesi 124,000
  Kacchi 72,000
  Konkani, Goan 54,000
  Ahirani 50,000
  Kannada 20,000
  Koli, Wadiyari 15,000
  Sourashtra 7,500
  Nimadi 7,300
  Telugu 6,000
  Chhattisgarhi 1,100
  Marwari (India) 1,000
  Malvi 500
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

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Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Levi Boxell 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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