Introduction / History

Traditionally the Dhobi people were the ones who washed laundry in the Hindu world. One of their subgroups are the Kathiya. This subgroup lives in central and northern Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

When a Dhobi girl marries, her dowry usually contains just a few items, but almost always an iron. After the men wash the customers' clothes, the women iron them and keep the money they earn to pay for household expenses. Mothers teach the girls to iron at an early age, and boys help their fathers by washing the smaller articles of clothing and by delivering packages of clean clothes to their owners. Today many of them own businesses or work in government jobs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Dhobis follow popular Hinduism and worship local gods as well as the washing stones. The vast majority remain Hindu, but they have contact with other communities. Hindus have a pragmatic view of the spirit world. Therefore, the Dhobi people often worship whatever spiritual force they believe will help them in practical ways.

What Are Their Needs?

Since many of their customers are starting to use washing machines, many Kathiya Dhobi are facing unemployment. They need job security and job training.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Dhobi people will hear the gospel and discover that only Jesus Christ can wash away their sins.

Pray for workers to go to the Kathiya Dhobi people in India.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will give the Kathiya Dhobi people such spiritual hunger that they will not be satisfied until they taste and see that the Lord is good.

Pray for a disciple making movement among the Kathiya Dhobi people in both India and Nepal.

Scripture Prayers for the Dhobi Kathiya in India.