Rathawa 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 Rathawa are a scheduled tribe residing in the hilly regions of the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rathawa are very dependent on forests for their living. Forest areas provide them land for agriculture, wild animals for food, firewood for fuel and teak wood for building houses.

Rathawa stay in villages that are usually clusters of 40-50 houses, very near to their agricultural fields, but surrounded by a strong fence.

Tamarind trees are considered to be haunted by spirits driven out of those possessed, and therefore no houses are constructed near one! There are also other distinguishing features in the construction of their houses. They always build their houses on elevated ground to prevent flooding. Around most of them there will also be a grove of palm trees. Their houses usually have no windows.

Rathawa are generally friendly with outsiders. Their way of honoring guests is by serving them food in their kitchen.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Rathawa consider themselves Hindus.


What Are Their Needs?

A handful of Rathawa have responded to the gospel message and are following Christ, but God's word is not available in the Rathawi language for them to read, understand and grow in their relationship with Jesus. No other gospel resources, such as recordings, radio programs or tracts are available in this language. God's word in Rathawi will make a big impact on the community. God's word is not available in the Rathawi language for them to read, understand and grow in their relationship with Jesus.


Prayer Points

Pray for Rathawa people to be open to the gospel message and accept Jesus as savior and Lord.
Pray for many Christian workers to go among them to preach the gospel.
Pray for gospel materials to be developed and widely used.
Pray for Rathawa disciples who will make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Rathawa in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Rathawa
People Name in Country Rathawa
Pronunciation rah-TWAH
Alternate Names Rathawa Koli; Rathvi; Rathwa; रठवा
Population this Country 736,000
Population all Countries 746,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 15
PeopleID3 17947
ROP3 Code 113435
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 18
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarat
726,000
Madhya Pradesh
3,200
Tamil Nadu
1,900
Daman and Diu
1,400
Rajasthan
800
Delhi
500
Dadra and Nagar Have
500
Maharashtra
400
Chhattisgarh
300
Telangana
300
West Bengal
200
Jharkhand
200
Odisha
100
Uttar Pradesh
80
Goa
70
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 18
  Gujarat 726,000
  Madhya Pradesh 3,200
  Tamil Nadu 1,900
  Daman and Diu 1,400
  Rajasthan 800
  Delhi 500
  Dadra and Nagar Have 500
  Maharashtra 400
  Chhattisgarh 300
  Telangana 300
  West Bengal 200
  Jharkhand 200
  Odisha 100
  Uttar Pradesh 80
  Goa 70
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.67 %
Islam
0.11 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.17 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Rathawi (447,000 speakers)
Language Code rtw   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarati
210,000
Hindi
1,300
Sourashtra
1,200
Kacchi
900
Konkani
200
Marathi
200
Nimadi
200
Koli, Wadiyari
60
Kannada
50
Bhili
40
Khandesi
40
Wagdi
30
Bengali Telugu Odia
Primary Language Rathawi (447,000 speakers)
Language Code rtw   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Gujarati 210,000
  Hindi 1,300
  Sourashtra 1,200
  Kacchi 900
  Konkani 200
  Marathi 200
  Nimadi 200
  Koli, Wadiyari 60
  Kannada 50
  Bhili 40
  Khandesi 40
  Wagdi 30
  Bengali 10
  Telugu 10
  Odia 0
People Groups Speaking Rathawi

Primary Language:  Rathawi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2017)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2023)
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Rathawi Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Android Bible app: Ratwi Bible The Love Fellowship
Photo Source Suyash Dwivedi - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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