Introduction / History

Their name is related to forest dwellers. The Mannewar Gonds are a scheduled tribe of Maharashtra who speak Telugu.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They work mostly as day laborers with some working in agriculture. Women help with providing for their families. They are not vegetarians. The Mannewar Gonds have cousin and uncle-niece marriages. They have a traditional community council to look after them. In the towns and cities they make use of programs that help them economically.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mannewar Gonds practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. 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 like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mannewar Gonds need the abundant blessings offered by Jesus Christ so their communities can be transformed socially and spiritually.

Prayer Points

Pray that the council leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead their community into a movement to Christ. Pray for spiritual hunger that will lead them to the foot of the cross. Pray for workers.

Scripture Prayers for the Gond Mannewar in India.