Patwa (Hindu traditions) 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: | Patwa (Hindu traditions) |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 293,000 |
| World Population: | 293,000 |
| Primary Language: | Hindi |
| 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
The community name, Patwa, is associated with the making of woven cloth. Clans (gotras) and lineages exist within the Patwa community.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Clans regulate marriage alliances, and lineages trace ancestries. Marriages rarely occur outside the Patwa community. Vermilion (red pigment) on the forehead, glass bracelets, and toe-rings are symbols of married women. Brahmin priests officiate marriage rituals according to Vedic traditions at the bride's home and may include worship of a village deity and circling the sacred pole seven times. Child marriage are common.
Forty days after a male child is born the mother goes to worship a well and brings water from it. This ceremony is called Kuanpuja.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Patwa 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?
Most of the Patwa people live in northern India, an area that historically has been resistant to the gospel.
There is a great need for focused, sustained prayer for each caste and tribe in this part of India.
Prayer Points
There may be no followers of Jesus Christ today among the Hindu Patwa people group. However, we should pray for those who will one day come to saving faith in Jesus. Pray they will not succumb to social pressure and revert back to old ways.
Pray for disciplers who will teach new believers to make more disciples.
Pray for the birth of a church planting movement among the Patwa people.