Introduction / History

All Valmiki claim to be descendants of Valmiki, an author of the Ramayana. Some of the Valmiki living in the Punjab have converted to Sikhism. Some Valmiki became Muslims during the Mogul Period. In colonial times, the Valmiki were known as a martial (military) caste. Many of them found employment in the British Army. The vast majority of the Hindu Valmiki people live in India, and that includes those from the Sachara subgroup. The Sachara Valmiki live in southern India and speak Telugu.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sachara Valmiki occupy a lower place in society. Besides serving in the military, Sachara Valmiki labor as streetsweepers, watchmen, toilet cleaners and as farm workers. Sachara Valmiki generally do not own the land they work on. Some have become educated and work in politics, teaching and government positions.

The Sachara Valmiki tend to marry within their group. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young couple. Girls marry in their teens while boys are a few years older. Marriage to one spouse is the norm among the Sachara Valmiki. Boys receive at least an elementary education while girls often quit school after a few years to help their mother with domestic responsibilities.

Rural Sachara Valmiki often lack access to modern medicine, so their life expectancy is less than 60 years. Sachara Valmiki parents have many children. Unfortunately, many children die before reaching the age of ten. Their main foods are rice, vegetables and lentils. Hindu Sachara Valmiki eat meat except for beef. They also refrain from eating pork as to not offend their Muslim neighbors.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sachara Valmiki people 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 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 Sachara Valmiki need new job skills so they can improve their place in society. Sachara Valmiki women need to improve their literacy levels. Rural Sachara Valmiki would benefit by having access to modern medicine. Most of all, Sachara Valmiki must hear and respond to the good news about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to send anointed workers to the Sachara Valmiki community.
Pray that the leaders among the Sachara Valmiki would be open to hearing and responding to the gospel.
Pray that the Sachara Valmiki would be led by the Holy Spirit to listen to Christian radio programs.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Sachara Valmiki.

Scripture Prayers for the Sachara (Valmiki) in India.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmiki_caste
https://dbpedia.org/page/Valmiki_caste
https://www.quora.com/In-which-caste-does-Valmiki-fall-under