Bolla Balija 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

According to legend Balija Bolla people are a weaver caste that originated when their god Chamundeshwari threw rice into the sacrificial fire from which a host of warriors sprang out. Rulers appointed Balija families to supervise provinces as Nayaks (governors, commanders). They were known as warrior merchants; powerful and wealthy, who were highly respected. They were primarily tax collectors and merchants.


Where Are they Located?

This Hindu people group is scattered throughout southern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, Balija people are farmers, traders and craftsmen of bangles, and pearl and coral ornaments. They are one of the most socially and economically backward communities in India. They are scattered, known by different names. Since they admit people of other castes, they are regarded as a mixed community. They have been oppressed for generations.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Balija Bolla people are Hindu. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods whom they believe will give them favor and protection, much like a business transaction. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.


What Are Their Needs?

Although audio, visual, and written Bible resources are available in Telugu, their spoken language, they remain unreached with the truth of the gospel. Their greatest need is to understand the infinite love of Almighty God for them, and His provisional payment of the penalty for their sins. They need to be freed by the Prince of Peace, so they can be free indeed.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Balija Bolla culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Balija Bolla 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 Balija Bolla people.
Pray that soon the Balija Bolla people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Balija Bolla in India.


References

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


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Balija Bolla
People Name in Country Balija Bolla
Natural Name Bolla Balija
Alternate Names Ambiga; Balija Naidu; Bestar; Bholla; Bogam; Bolla; Boya Bestha; Gajula; Gangemakkalu; Gazula; Gazula Balija; Gazut Balija; Gudem Dasari; Kabbera; Kapu; Kasban; Kasbi; Kasbin; Kavarai; Naidu; Parivara; Parivarattar; Siviyar; Telaga; Thogra; Thota Balija; Toraga Balija; Toreyar; Vaidu; Varala; Veerasaiva Lingayat; बलिजा बोल्ला
Population this Country 83,000
Population all Countries 83,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 21090
ROP3 Code 117914
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 7
Largest States
Telangana
40,000
Tamil Nadu
25,000
Odisha
8,600
Maharashtra
5,900
Andhra Pradesh
2,000
Chhattisgarh
1,400
Madhya Pradesh
600
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 7
  Telangana 40,000
  Tamil Nadu 25,000
  Odisha 8,600
  Maharashtra 5,900
  Andhra Pradesh 2,000
  Chhattisgarh 1,400
  Madhya Pradesh 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.97 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Telugu (54,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Kannada
8,600
Tamil
7,300
Odia
2,900
Marathi
600
Primary Language Telugu (54,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Kannada 8,600
  Tamil 7,300
  Odia 2,900
  Marathi 600
People Groups Speaking Telugu

Primary Language:  Telugu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2022)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Telugu 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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Neethakani) 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 Telugu Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Study Bibles (Multiple Languages) Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Telugu YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Telugu Bible (తెలుగు బైబిల్) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Telugu Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Telugu Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Telugu) 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: Telugu YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Telugu Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Telugu Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
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 Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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