Kahalia 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: | Kahalia |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 7,600 |
| World Population: | 7,600 |
| Primary Language: | Odia |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| 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
Kahalia is a scheduled caste living in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha. They speak Odia, the official language of Odisha.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Kahalia have always been agricultural workers for landowners. They are dependent on these landowners and often subject to being taken advantage of and denied basic needs like healthcare and education. NGOs are trying to fill in this void.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Kahalia 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 like Christians or Jews. 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?
As a scheduled caste, the Kahalia are marginalized. There are efforts to help disadvantaged communities get the education and jobs they need, but they might not have reached this community. Meanwhile the Kahalia and other scheduled castes are working towards obtaining their rights.
Prayer Points
Pray for workers to go to the Kahalia people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for families of believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.