Introduction / History

The Turi Barot are a Hindu people who live in Gujarati, the west state of India and in Pakistan. During the Partition of India of 1947 many Hindus left Pakistan and moved to India. Many Muslims in India fled to Pakistan. This accounts for the fact that many more Barot live in India than Pakistan.
Barot was traditionally an honorific title. Traditionally the Barot read genealogies and myths and recited poetry for a living. However, in modern times they have lost enough clients that they now do other things to make a living. The Barot claim to be Brahmin in origin.
The Turi Barot who live in India and speak Gujarati. The others who live further west in Pakistan use Sindhi are their primary language. Many resources are available in Sindhi including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Since their traditional jobs have disappeared, educated Barot now work in government service or in private business. Rural Barot farm the land and grow rice, wheat, lentils, and vegetables.
The gospel may need to be presented to the rural Barot in oral and visual forms since their literacy rate is low especially among their women.
The Barot marry within their group. Families and young people arrange marriages. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Sons inherit property and take care of elderly parents.
In the urban regions the Barot use modern medicine but in rural regions they favor traditional medicines. The Barot love drama, dancing, singing, and reciting poetry. These activities are prominent during Hindu festivals.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Turi Barot people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of South Asia. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 as Christians do. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.

What Are Their Needs?

The Barot community needs to experience the abundant blessings that only Jesus Christ can offer. Older Turi Barot people are mostly illiterate; younger people are seeking opportunities to leave rural areas and seek better educational and employment opportunities in the cities. They need to be exposed to the good news of Jesus Christ, God's provision for the payment of their sins.

Prayer Points

Pray for believers to go to the Turi Barot with culturally appropriate songs and dramas that exalt the name of Jesus Christ.
Pray that many Turi Barot people will respond to the gospel, and that a disciple making movement will begin throughout their region in this decade.
Pray that the Lord will raise up many intercessors to pray for Turi Barot families.
Ask the Lord to send workers to the Turi Barot of Pakistan and India.

Scripture Prayers for the Turi Barot in Pakistan.

References

peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=42027