Raji in India
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Raji |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,200 |
| World Population: | 7,600 |
| Primary Language: | Hindi |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.85 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Raji people are also called "Banrawats," "Ben-Manus" and "cave dwellers." They are a scheduled tribe.
Where Are they Located?
The Raji tribe lives in the Pithoragarh region of Uttar Pradesh in India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Raji people enjoy eating wild fruits and tree roots. The Raji women wear large and heavy jewelry that is admired. Not many Raji dress in the customary tribal way. They are very artistic, and make handbags to sell in the markets of India.
Most Raji people live in the interior forest regions. They work as gatherers, collecting honey from bee hives, fishing, hunting, and in agriculture, growing their cereal crops, hunting, and fishing. They also make and sell farming tools.
Women have a respected position among Raji people.
They do not marry within their group, and there are no child marriages. The oldest man is the leader of the family. They speak within their tribe in the Raji language, although Hindi and Urdu are also spoken in Uttar Pradesh. This is important, because written, audio, and visual Bible resources exist in these languages.
Raji are the smallest tribe in Uttar Pradesh.
What Are Their Beliefs?
They worship Hindus gods, and they worship nature. They worship to please, and to be blessed by their gods. Raji people celebrate Hindu festivals, and their own rituals. There are many forms of Hinduism with their own deities and beliefs.
What Are Their Needs?
The most desperate need of Raji people is to know their Creator, whose creation they worship, and who paid the penalty for their sins.
Although Bible resources have been produced in Hindi and Urdu, Raji people remain unreached. Someone needs to bring these resources to them. Who will it be?
Uttar Pradesh also is restricted by an anti-conversion law which persecutes any who leave the Hindu religion.
Prayer Points
Pray for God's blessing, strengthening and healing of families and communities within the Raji peple through the abundant life and love Jesus offers to all tribes and nations.
Pray for deliverance from the fear that hinders God's blessing from multiplying through the Raji tribe.
Pray that God's people will make long-lasting, intentional contact with Raji people that will result in many disciples reaching their own people.