Bandi (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 Bandi claim the status of sudras, the lowest of the four caste levels. However, many Indians treat them as being low class, people outside of the Hindu system. Traditionally they have worked as village servants and in agriculture on land owned by others.

The primary language of the Bandi is Tamil. They also speak other local languages. Many resources are available in Tamil including a complete Bible, the JESUS Film and radio programs. There are few if any Bandi believers.

They live in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In past times, Bandi did a variety of odd village jobs from cleaning copper pots to pounding rice, to collecting firewood to cleaning floors. Today they are more likely to be involved in agricultural work or to work for the government. Few own land. Unfortunately, they can become dependent on moneylenders. That means that they are not likely to get out of debt or poverty. They do have electricity and well water in their villages. Some Bandi young people are moving to Indian cities in search of a better life. They often have to take menial, low paying jobs due to their lack of education and job skills.

Bandi marry within their group. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. They often have a large number of children. Many of their children quit school after a few years to help their family make a living. Sons inherit their father's property. Sons have the responsibility of taking care of elderly relatives. Illiteracy is a problem especially for Bandi women and girls. Since Bandi are considered as a low class community, they have to have their own Hindu priests and shrines.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bandi 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?

The Bandi must learn new job skills to succeed in the modern Indian society. They need good schools for their children. Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Bandi people will soon encounter the good news of Jesus Christ.

Pray for the Lord to send loving workers to the Bandi people of southern India.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Bandi people in this decade.

Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment among the Bandi people.


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


References

https://indiankanoon.org/search/?formInput=bandi%20community

peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=41735


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bandi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bandi (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Baandhi; Banda; Bande; Bandekar; Bander; Bhandari; Gbandi; Kad Havik; Kad Konkan; Konkan Devadiga; Lander; Mondaru; Mondi; Mondiwar; बंदी
Population this Country 5,500
Population all Countries 5,500
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19009
ROP3 Code 114927
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 6
Largest States
Tamil Nadu
3,500
Goa
900
Karnataka
800
Kerala
200
Andhra Pradesh
100
Puducherry
20
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 6
  Tamil Nadu 3,500
  Goa 900
  Karnataka 800
  Kerala 200
  Andhra Pradesh 100
  Puducherry 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.92 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.08 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil (2,100 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Telugu
1,100
Konkani, Goan
800
Kannada
600
Konkani
100
Tulu
90
Malayalam
60
Primary Language Tamil (2,100 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Telugu 1,100
  Konkani, Goan 800
  Kannada 600
  Konkani 100
  Tulu 90
  Malayalam 60
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
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 Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Tamil Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Tamil Bible (தமிழ் பைபிள்) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Tamil Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Tamil Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Tamil Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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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