The neighboring community of the Puroik, the Bangnis, gave them the name "Sulung", which means "slave." The ancient belief is that the forefathers of the present day Puroik borrowed money from the Bangnis and failed to repay it. As compensation, the Puroik were forced to work for the Bangnis. This practice gradually took the shape of a social institution, in which the Bangnis assumed the role of masters while the Puroik became their slaves. The Puroik largely depend on their masters for survival. Even now, when a Puroik man cannot afford the high bride-price to get a wife for himself, he borrows money from his master. As a result, the newly married wife and their future children also become his slaves.
The Puroik live in villages along the Par River of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. The region is hilly and is situated at a high altitude. The area is characterized by forest cover, low humidity, and lots of rain or snow. Most Puroik farm small pieces of land they own and collect forest produce, barely making a living. Most Puroik settlements are in mountainous regions that are often affected by flash floods due to heavy rains, being in the catchment areas of the Kameng River. In addition, these settlements do not have amenities such as an electricity supply, roads, or postal facilities.
Almost all Puroik people live in India’s far north and a small number are in China.
The Puroik are easy to identify. Their hair is usually tied in a bun on their head, and they always carry a long chopping knife with them. Their men wear a cloth across their chest, passing below the arm and reaching the thigh. Women usually wear a knee-length skirt with green or blue borders.
Most of the Puroik are animistic in faith, but they have a sizable Christian minority.
The Puroik people need the chance to understand that their worth is tied up with the God who created them for his purpose. They need to look to the cross!
Pray that the sheer wonder of knowing Jesus and the impact he has on their lives and the joy he brings spur believers to share Christ with the Puroik people.
Pray the hearts of the Puroik people would be stirred by a sovereign work of the Holy Spirit readying them for the time when they hear the gospel message being shared with them.
Pray they will experience dreams and visions of Jesus leading them into a saving relationship with Him.
Pray for Puroik disciples to make more disciples.
Scripture Prayers for the Puroik in India.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
