Sikligar (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

The Sikligars (or Moyal or Panchal) of the Indian subcontinent are best known as polishers of metal, especially fine swords. Their name comes from a word which means, "to polish." The Sikligars say they were once Rajputs or sons of rulers. The Sikligars are also known for making, selling and fixing agricultural implements, such as spades, sickles, sieves and iron buckets. Traditionally, the Sikligars traveled from village to village selling and mending metal tools. Now many are becoming landless agricultural workers due to the fact that their ancient trade of metalworking is vanishing.

Originally all Sikligars were Hindus. During the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal period, some Sikligars became Muslims. Some Sikligar in Punjab have become Sikhs.

Most of the Muslim Sikligars live in India, but there are some in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Most Pakistani Sikligars live in the Punjab and Sindh provinces. They speak Saraiki, a hybrid language that includes aspects of both Punjabi and Sindhi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many of the Sikligars wander, traveling from village to village selling their wares and their blacksmithing skills. Farmers often hire them to make farming tools or to work as day laborers. Some Sikligars are still engaged in the manufacture of swords, knives and daggers. The swords and knives are now used for ceremonial purposes, not as weapons of war.

Many of the Sikligars are unable to read and write. Many Sikligar children must quit school early to help their families make a living. The nomadic lifestyle of the Sikligars also hinders the educational opportunities of their children.

Muslim Sikligars marry within their group but not within their particular clan. Families arrange marriages. The newly married couples often live with or near the groom's parents. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father with the eldest son becoming head of the family. Cast councils settle legal problems and promote their interests.

The main foods of the Sikligars are rice, wheat, barley, vegetables and dairy products. Meat is often eaten only on special occasions. Muslim Sikligars will not eat pork.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sikligars can be Hindu, Sikh or Muslim. The vast majority of Sikligars in Pakistan are Sunni Muslims. The Sunni are the largest branch of Islam. They try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited to drink alcohol, eat pork, gamble, steal, use deceit, slander and make idols.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sikligar need help in learning new job skills and educating their children. Most rural Sikligars do not have access to clean water, electricity and indoor plumbing. The introduction of modern medicine would greatly improve the lives of the Sikligars. Most of all, the Sikligars need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for a chain reaction of Sikligar families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Muslim Sikligar society as all believers learn to love God and others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Muslim Sikligar people like yeast changes dough.


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


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikligar


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sikligar (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Sikligar (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Bhisti; Kotari; Kottari; Saikalgar; Saiqalgar; Sakka; Saqqa; Shikalgar; Shikkaligar; Shishgar; Sikalgar; Sikkaligar; Sikkligar; Sikligar; Sisgar; Visti; सिकलिगर (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 7,300
Population all Countries 68,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18102
ROP3 Code 113605
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 3
Largest States
Punjab
3,900
Sindh
3,200
Islamabad
300
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 3
  Punjab 3,900
  Sindh 3,200
  Islamabad 300
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 Saraiki (2,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Punjabi, Western
1,700
Sindhi
1,600
Urdu
1,500
Dhatki
200
Marwari (Pakistan)
100
Pahari-Potwari
100
Primary Language Saraiki (2,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Punjabi, Western 1,700
  Sindhi 1,600
  Urdu 1,500
  Dhatki 200
  Marwari (Pakistan) 100
  Pahari-Potwari 100
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
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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