Introduction / History

The Dhobis are a Hindu community who have traditionally washed clothes. Most live in Pakistan, India and Nepal. Smaller numbers are in Sri Lanka.

What Are Their Lives Like?

When a Dhobi girl marries, her dowry usually contains just a few items, but almost always an iron. After the men wash the customers' clothes, the women iron them and keep the money they earn to pay for household expenses. Mothers teach the girls to iron at an early age, and boys help their fathers by washing the smaller articles of clothing and by delivering packages of clean clothes to their owners.
Their diet is mostly vegetables and grains, with an occasional bit of meat.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Dhobis follow popular Hinduism and worship local gods as well as the washing stones. The vast majority remain Hindu, but they have contact with other communities.

What Are Their Needs?

As their ancestors before them, the Dhobis earn their meager living by washing clothes for the higher castes. Their livelihood is being replaced by washing machines.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Dhobi people will hear the gospel and discover that Jesus Christ can wash away their sins.
Pray that believers will tactfully share gospel recordings and play Christian radio broadcasts for Dhobi Hindus.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will give faith to the Dhobis in Nepal.

Scripture Prayers for the Dhobi (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.