Shenva (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

The Shenva, also known as Rawat, are a Scheduled Caste in the state of Gujarat, which entitles them to certain government benefits. The Shenva (Rawat) community consists of several exogamous clans.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are mainly agricultural laborers and have their own land and homes. They worship Shree Chamunda Mataji, which are clan deities, on festivals and during life-cycle ceremonies. According to their tradition they believe they are descendants of Rajput who fled into the forests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Shenva people practice Hinduism, 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 like Christians or Jews. 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.


What Are Their Needs?

They need to improve their vocational skills so they will be qualified for these better positions.


Prayer Points

Please pray for workers to come to the Hindu Shenva people, workers who are able to communicate well the good news about Jesus Christ. Pray for their encouragement and protection and provision.
A small number of the Shenva people have identified themselves as Christians to the Indian census. This is very encouraging. Please pray these Christians will be properly instructed in the ways of Christ and will live holy lives in the power of the Lord's Spirit.
Pray they will represent Christ well to their families and friends.
Pray the Lord will give these people understanding as the gospel comes to them.


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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Shenva (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Shenva (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Chenva; Ravat; Sedma; Sedna Shenma; Sendhava; Senva; Senwa; Shenva; Shindhva; Shingadya; Shingdav; Sindhava; शेनवा (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 133,000
Population all Countries 135,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 18086
ROP3 Code 113587
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 4
Largest States
Gujarat
129,000
Rajasthan
2,000
Maharashtra
1,500
Daman and Diu
100
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 4
  Gujarat 129,000
  Rajasthan 2,000
  Maharashtra 1,500
  Daman and Diu 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.07 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.02 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.91 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (114,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Hindi
2,600
Mewari
800
Marathi
500
Kacchi
400
Koli, Wadiyari
60
Primary Language Gujarati (114,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 2,600
  Mewari 800
  Marathi 500
  Kacchi 400
  Koli, Wadiyari 60
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
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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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
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General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
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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
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General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
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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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