Hindu Valmiki Chuhra 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 Valmiki Chuhra are a community living in Haryana and Punjab states. The traditional occupation of the Valmiki is street sweeping and removing excrement from villages and cities. Since both jobs are considered degrading by other Hindus the Valmiki are outside of the caste system. The main languages of the Valmiki are Eastern Punjab and Hindi. Complete Bibles are available in both languages. The Valmiki are a mostly oral culture so the gospel will have to be shared with them in an audio and visual form.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Valmiki face many obstacles because of their low status label. Their children are often denied entrance to schools. The Valmiki frequently are not allowed into Hindu temples to worship their Hindu gods. The Indian government is trying to help low class groups by granting them special places in universities and government jobs as a Scheduled Caste. Even if a Valmiki gets an education, he or she be discriminated against at the workplace. The Valmiki continue to work jobs that most Hindu peoples would find beneath them. They clean sewer pipes, collect dead bodies, dig graves and sweep streets. During colonial times many Valmiki left Hinduism and became Sikhs, Muslims and Christians hoping for a better life outside of Hinduism. Valmiki marry within their group. Most other Hindu groups would forbid their children from marrying a person from this group. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Sons inherit any property that their father has.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Valmiki practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their Hinduism of the Valmiki is mixed with animism and folk religion. 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. The Valmiki visit their Hindu shrines and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hope of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Valmiki 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. Valmiki and tribal peoples are outside of the caste system.


What Are Their Needs?

The Valmiki need education for their children. They need to be treated fairly by Indian government and peoples so they can escape their low status designation and live a decent life. Most of all, the Valmiki need the hope that only Jesus can bring. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that Indian believers are willing to love this community and share the good news with them. Pray that the Lord opens the spiritual eyes of Valmiki leaders so they see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to raise up a Disciple Making Movement among the Valmiki of India in this decade. Pray that Valmiki adults and children learn how to read so they can read the Bible for themselves.


Scripture Prayers for the Valmiki Chuhra (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

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


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Valmiki Chuhra (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Valmiki Chuhra (Hindu traditions)
Natural Name Hindu Valmiki Chuhra
Alternate Names
Population this Country 663,000
Population all Countries 663,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 13
PeopleID3 21820
ROP3 Code 118606
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)
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 1
  Delhi 663,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 Punjabi, Eastern (413,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Hindi
147,000
Haryanvi
27,000
Marwari (India)
500
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (413,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 147,000
  Haryanvi 27,000
  Marwari (India) 500
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
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 Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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 direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible App: Punjabi Bible (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬਾਈਬਲ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Punjabi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Punjabi) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Punjabi Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern 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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