Introduction / History

Gorait in India are a friendly people who enjoy good relationships with other tribes in their areas. Their culture is rich in tradition and culture, and they have benefitted surrounding peoples.

Where Are they Located?

The Gorait people live in the eastern states of India and also Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Gorait people are patriarchal. The oldest son assumes authority when the father dies. Sons inherit equally, and daughters are given only maintenance and their bride price. Marriage within their clan is forbidden.

Their houses are customarily one room – kitchen, beds, and adjoining cattle shed. They work in farming, drum playing for festivities, as village messengers and watchmen. They hunt and make weapons and musical instruments. Their dress is unique to their clan.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Gorait people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. 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 Gorait 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.
They also practice animism, ancestral worship and witchcraft.

What Are Their Needs?

Although audio, visual, and written Bible resources are available in Hindi, their spoken language, they remain unreached and unengaged 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.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Gorait people of India and Bangladesh teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Gorait families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Gorait families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness, and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Gorait family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.

Scripture Prayers for the Gorait in India.

References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16860/BG
https://www.indianetzone.com/8/gorait_tribe.htm
http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Gorait
http://www.scstrti.in/index.php/co0mmunities/sc-communities/108-sc-communities/366-gorait