Vasave Bhil 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

Traditionally the Vassave people were hunters and gatherers. They are a subgroup of the Bhil tribes and a scheduled tribe of Maharashtra. In Gujarat, the Vasave are the largest of the Bhil peoples. They are called Vassava in Maharashtra and Gujarat, and Vassave in Rajasthan.


Where Are they Located?

This Bhil subgroup lives in Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat, three states in western India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Their work is in agriculture, laboring, managing and looking after animals. Many work as construction workers, but there are also doctors and engineers among them. They have a traditional council to look after their interests. They speak Bhil and Marathi.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism is their religion though some of them have become Christians. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Vassave people are 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 Vassave people need the chance to find their way to the only Savior, Jesus Christ. There are few believers in their part of India.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Vassave family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Vassave people.
Pray that soon the Vassave people will have faith that is more precious and durable than gold.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhil Vasave in India.


References

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


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bhil Vasave
People Name in Country Bhil Vasave
Natural Name Vasave Bhil
Alternate Names Vasava; Wasawe; भील वासवे
Population this Country 1,230,000
Population all Countries 1,230,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 25
PeopleID3 21022
ROP3 Code 117874
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 2
Largest States
Maharashtra
692,000
Gujarat
538,000
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 2
  Maharashtra 692,000
  Gujarat 538,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.02 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.72 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
96.79 %
Islam
1.25 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
1.21 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Vasavi (489,000 speakers)
Language Code vas   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Gujarati
317,000
Marathi
146,000
Bhili
41,000
Khandesi
30,000
Bareli, Pauri
23,000
Haryanvi
22,000
Bareli, Rathwi
5,400
Dungra Bhil
4,500
Hindi
3,600
Bareli, Palya
3,000
Ahirani
1,200
Urdu
1,000
Dangi
300
Chodri
200
Marwari (India)
200
Primary Language Vasavi (489,000 speakers)
Language Code vas   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Gujarati 317,000
  Marathi 146,000
  Bhili 41,000
  Khandesi 30,000
  Bareli, Pauri 23,000
  Haryanvi 22,000
  Bareli, Rathwi 5,400
  Dungra Bhil 4,500
  Hindi 3,600
  Bareli, Palya 3,000
  Ahirani 1,200
  Urdu 1,000
  Dangi 300
  Chodri 200
  Marwari (India) 200
People Groups Speaking Vasavi
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Belurmath - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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