Patwa (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan

Introduction / History

The Patwas are associated with threading of beads and stitchery. The community name, Patwa, is associated with the making of woven cloth. They are especially noted for weaving bedsheets. They were jewelry makers and weavers who often added gold or silver threads to their work. Most are Hindu, but in Pakistan they are mostly Muslim. There are Muslim Patwa people in Bangladesh, India, and a smaller number in Pakistan. The more numerous Hindu Patwas all live in India.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Muslim Patwas have their own clans (gotras) and lineages. Clans regulate marriage alliances, and lineages trace ancestries. Their marriages rarely occur outside their own Patwa community.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Patwas are mainly Hindu, though there are some Muslims among them, forming a separate community. In such situations, Muslims tend to retain aspects of Hindu spirituality such as revering saints and looking to charms and amulets for their needs rather than Allah, the God of Islam. Those who are devout Muslims will pray five times facing Mecca, the holy city of Islam, and even go on the required pilgrimage to Mecca.

What Are Their Needs?

Like all unreached people groups, the Muslim Patwas need the chance to embrace Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Ideally, there will be leaders in their communities who will open the door for those who are spiritually hungry to seek and find Him.

Prayer Points

Pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done among the Muslim Patwa people. Pray for a movement of Patwa households to study the Bible and accept the blessings of Christ. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Patwa people to the arms of Jesus. Pray for workers who are filled with the fruit and the power of the Holy Spirit to go to the Patwa people.

Text Source:   Joshua Project