Panika 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

Very little is known about the origin of the Panika. Although some sources say that the Panika are of Dravidian origin, others simply refer to them as unclassified. The Panika live primarily in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh, central India. There are additional communities in the Maikal mountains surrounding Madhya Pradesh. These communities live among the historic Gond people.

The Panika tribe is divided into two broad groups: the Kabirpanthi (the largest group) and the Sakta. The Kabirpanthi follow the teachings of a man named Saint Kabir. They avoid liquor, meat, and other "unclean" practices; therefore, they consider themselves purer and more advanced than the Sakta. The Sakta, who are addicted to liquor and eat meat freely, are more tribal in nature.

The Panika were once known among the tribes for their honesty. However, it is said that this characteristic has disappeared over the last thirty years.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Maikal Mountains consist of flat-topped plateaus that reach elevations of 2000 to 3000 feet. Eight different rivers have carved extensive basins in the soft rock formations of these mountains, and this is where the Panika have settled.

The Kabirpanthi Panika have farmed the fertile river basin area for years. Their principal crops include rice, wheat, chick-peas, sorghum, corn, sesame, and mustard seeds. As a whole, their society is wealthy and most of their children attend school. Some of the people have vast fields, cattle, and several steers. Many are employed as village watchmen, forest guards, and teachers, while others are excellent businessmen. Those who have moved to the capital city live in an agricultural market district, which is also a junction for railroads and an intersection of major roads. They buy goods from the rural Panika, which they stock and sell in the market at higher rates. They are also doing an increased amount of business with outsiders.

The Sakta Panika have been much more hesitant to settle on farms and begin raising cattle. They still rely heavily on hunting and gathering for survival. Their traditional trade of cloth weaving is gradually becoming obsolete due to the rapid production of mill-made cloth in their area. Yet, there is still a high demand for the colorful hand-made garments, so the Sakta continue to weave and trade their beautiful cloths.

The Panika live in multi-ethnic villages alongside the Gond, the Baiga, the Pardhi, and other tribes. They are organized into a number of groups, which are mostly named after various plants and animals. There is a strict prohibition of marriage within the same group, and girls are usually married before they reach puberty.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism was introduced to the Panika in the twelfth century. The Sakta worship many different village deities; whereas, the Kabirpanthi have formed their own sect and have no faith in outward observances, idol worship, or social class (or caste) distinctions.

The Kabirpanthi Panika are required to observe sanctity and purity in their daily lives and behavior. They believe that good behavior and meditation on the virtues of god are the methods of finding fulfillment. Those who are literate read their holy books, which contain the messages of Saint Kabir. Many illiterates are now learning to read and write because they have been so swayed by the teachings of Kabir.

The Kabirpanthi Panika wear small beaded necklaces. During their religious ceremonies, they sing praise songs to the music of cymbals, and the guru (teacher) teaches morning and evening prayers.


What Are Their Needs?

The Panika are almost entirely unevangelized. Prayer is the first step toward seeing them reached with the Gospel.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers into India to work among the Panika.
Pray that God will raise up prayer teams to break up the spiritual soil of India through intercession.
Ask God to encourage the small number of Panika believers and use them to share the Gospel with their own people.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Panika towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a vigorous Panika church for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the Panika in India.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Panika
People Name in Country Panika
Pronunciation pah-nee-KAH
Alternate Names Banna Malaya; Mirgan; Pan; Panka; Pano; पनिका
Population this Country 1,195,000
Population all Countries 1,195,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 24
PeopleID3 17824
ROP3 Code 113297
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 11
Largest States
Chhattisgarh
857,000
Madhya Pradesh
219,000
Jharkhand
65,000
Uttar Pradesh
29,000
West Bengal
16,000
Odisha
5,900
Maharashtra
1,900
Karnataka
700
Tripura
200
Kerala
50
Andaman and Nicobar
40
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 11
  Chhattisgarh 857,000
  Madhya Pradesh 219,000
  Jharkhand 65,000
  Uttar Pradesh 29,000
  West Bengal 16,000
  Odisha 5,900
  Maharashtra 1,900
  Karnataka 700
  Tripura 200
  Kerala 50
  Andaman and Nicobar 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.04 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.82 %
Islam
0.03 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.11 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Chhattisgarhi (510,000 speakers)
Language Code hne   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
444,000
Odia
40,000
Sadri
29,000
Bengali
18,000
Mirgan
6,800
Bhojpuri
3,000
Gondi, Northern
2,200
Magahi
1,400
Kannada
400
Telugu
300
Marathi
200
Bhatri
60
Kurux
10
Gujarati
10
Bundeli
Primary Language Chhattisgarhi (510,000 speakers)
Language Code hne   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 444,000
  Odia 40,000
  Sadri 29,000
  Bengali 18,000
  Mirgan 6,800
  Bhojpuri 3,000
  Gondi, Northern 2,200
  Magahi 1,400
  Kannada 400
  Telugu 300
  Marathi 200
  Bhatri 60
  Kurux 10
  Gujarati 10
  Bundeli 10
People Groups Speaking Chhattisgarhi

Primary Language:  Chhattisgarhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1904-1952)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2005-2014)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2024)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Chhattisgarhi Jesus Film Project
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Mobile App iOS Bible app: Chhattisgarhi YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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