Dalu in India
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Dalu |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 21,000 |
| World Population: | 32,000 |
| Primary Language: | Bengali |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Dalu are an indigenous people in India and Bangladesh that traces their ancestry to Bobhrubahan. Their people were ousted from Tripura, and they settled for a time in Assam before spreading out into other nearby locations including what is now Odisha and West Bengal. Most of the Dalu people live in the Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal, though some live in Bangladesh.
What Are Their Lives Like?
These are landless farmers. About 90 percent of these peaceful people do not own the land they farm.
The Dalu people eat rice and various meats. They also drink a homemade fermented rice drink, even though alcohol is forbidden in Islam. There are a couple of Dalu clans, and people cannot marry outside of their clan without paying a heavy penalty.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Dalu people are Muslims who probably converted from Hinduism hundreds of years ago. Even now, their form of Sunni Islam is compromised by their ancestor's Hindu beliefs and practices. Some sources consider the Dalu people to be Hindu.
What Are Their Needs?
The Dalu people need to see living Christianity in action. They need to know that a relationship with Jesus Christ helps families and communities to flourish, including theirs if they would only allow for it. Their literacy rate is very low, so they will need oral gospel materials.
Prayer Points
Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Dalu society as all believers learn to love others.
Pray for families of believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for workers to go to the Dalu people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.