Sukiyar 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 Magahi-speaking Hindu Sukiyar people live in the state of Jharkhand, India. Traditionally, the Sukiyar have been involved in agriculture, relying on the fertile lands of the region to sustain their livelihoods. Over time, the community has remained rooted in rural areas, though some have moved to urban centers in search of better economic opportunities. Despite these changes, agriculture remains central to the Sukiyar way of life.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sukiyar people primarily engage in farming, growing crops like rice, wheat and pulses. Farming is a family activity, with men, women and children working together to plant, tend and harvest crops. Many families also raise livestock, which provides supplementary income and food. In addition to agriculture, some members of the Sukiyar community work as laborers in nearby towns to support their families.

Sukiyar families live in small villages, where homes are typically built from local materials like mud, brick and thatch. Life in these villages revolves around agriculture, family responsibilities and religious observances. Although younger generations increasingly seek education and employment in cities, they often return to their villages during harvest seasons to help with farming.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sukiyar people follow Hinduism, worshiping deities such as Vishnu, Shiva and Durga. They observe important Hindu festivals such as Diwali, Holi and Navaratri, where families come together to celebrate, offer prayers and seek blessings for prosperity. The Sukiyar’s religious practices are closely tied to their agricultural activities, with many rituals centered around the planting and harvesting seasons.

Temples and shrines serve as important spiritual centers for the Sukiyar community, where religious ceremonies and festivals take place. Local religious leaders guide the community’s rituals, ensuring that traditions are passed down through the generations.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sukiyar people face several challenges related to economic development, education and healthcare. Traditional farming methods make them vulnerable to environmental changes, such as erratic rainfall and soil degradation. Access to modern agricultural techniques, improved irrigation systems and sustainable farming practices would help the Sukiyar community increase productivity and stabilize their livelihoods.

Education remains a significant need for the Sukiyar community, particularly in rural areas where schools are often under-resourced. Expanding access to quality education would open up opportunities for the younger generation to pursue a wider range of careers. Additionally, healthcare services are limited, with many families traveling long distances for basic medical care. Improving healthcare infrastructure and access to medical services would greatly benefit the community’s overall well-being.


Prayer Points

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


Scripture Prayers for the Sukiyar in India.


References

Ethnologue: Languages of the World
Reports from Indian NGOs on rural communities in Jharkhand
Academic research on agricultural practices in eastern India


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sukiyar
People Name in Country Sukiyar
Alternate Names सुकियार
Population this Country 4,600
Population all Countries 4,600
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18185
ROP3 Code 113698
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
  Jharkhand 4,600
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 Magahi (2,800 speakers)
Language Code mag   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Hindi
1,200
Sadri
200
Primary Language Magahi (2,800 speakers)
Language Code mag   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 1,200
  Sadri 200
People Groups Speaking Magahi
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024