Balija Musugu 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: | Balija Musugu |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 26,000 |
| World Population: | 26,000 |
| Primary Language: | Telugu |
| 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 Balija is a subcaste of the larger Kapu community. The Baligas have subgroups, one of which is the Musugu. They live in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Indian government is trying to help the Musugu Balija community to get the education and healthcare they lack. They do this through a "reservation" system involving reserving a certain number of positions in colleges and professional jobs for those in this category.
The Musugu Balija have been traders and money lenders, so their status is not as low as many other communities.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Musugu Balija community 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?
The Musugu Balija people need to accept the warm embrace of the only savior so they can enjoy spiritually meaningful lives.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work mightily in their communities, blessing them in every way.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Musugu Balija people a love for God's word and a desire to spread its influence.
Pray for signs and wonders among them and for great breakthroughs with a rapid multiplication of disciples and house churches.
Pray for bold workers who are driven by the love of the Holy Spirit to go to them.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.