The name "Punjabi" is used to describe both those who speak Punjabi and those who inhabit the Punjab region in India and Pakistan. Punjabi is an Indo-European language that is divided into six main dialects. Those who live in Kenya speak the Eastern Punjabi dialect, and most are Sikhs.
Modern Punjabi culture was largely shaped by the partitioning of India and Pakistan in 1947. This event resulted in massive migrations that separated the Muslims from the Hindus and Sikhs. In general, the Muslim Punjabis live in Pakistan, while the Hindu or Sikhs are in India. One can also find large Punjabi communities in nearly thirty other countries including Kenya.
Wherever they have gone, the resourceful Punjabis have made a place for themselves within the local communities. In Kenya, as in most countries where they have settled, Punjabis are employed in many different occupations. They excel as mechanics and work in construction. Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims all work in small family businesses.
The Sikhs in Kenya are noted for being generous with charities. They have also opened a facility for those who cannot afford dental and medical care.
While the living conditions of the Punjabis differ greatly from country to country, they have retained much of their traditional culture and language. Though the language is still Punjabi, there are cultural differences between each of the three religious affiliations.
In traditional Punjabi culture, the men oversee the family possessions such as land, shops, or other business assets. The women manage the homes. They cook, care for the children, manage the household finances, and take care of any domestic animals.
Among the diaspora Punjabis, newly-married couples set up their homes wherever they choose. Parents arrange marriages after extensive discussions.
Among the Punjabis, there is no overall system of social control. Instead, each institution (such as business, home, civil administration, religious organization, or political organization) has its own set of laws and disciplinary measures.
There are a number of Punjabi emigrant communities scattered around the world, including Canada. They are traditionally Hindu, Muslim or Sikh. Most of those in Canada are Sikh and they are well-established in that country.
Most Punjabis in Kenya are Sikhs. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that was founded in northern India during the sixteenth century. Its teachings have combined the elements of both Hinduism and Islam in an attempt to find one god who transcends all religious distinctions.
Even though Kenya is a predominately Christian nation, very few Punjabis are Christ followers. There is freedom of religion in Kenya, and believers can go to them if they are willing.
Pray for the Punjabi people in Kenya to have hearts that are open to the abundant blessings of Jesus Christ.
Pray for their families to prosper financially and spiritually as they experience a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Punjabi people in Kenya that will spread joy, peace, and salvation.
Pray for the Punjabi culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Punjabi family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Scripture Prayers for the Punjabi in Kenya.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Punjabi |
People Name in Country | Punjabi |
Pronunciation |
puhn-JAH-bee
|
Alternate Names | Eastern Punjabi; Gurmukhi; Mirpur Punjabi; Panjabi; Sikh |
Population this Country | 69,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,161,000 |
Total Countries | 18 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 14483 |
ROP3 Code | 108182 |
ROP25 Code | 306519 |
ROP25 Name | Punjabi |
Country | Kenya | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Nairobi Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Kenya |
Region | Africa, East and Southern |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | No |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Nairobi. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Other / Small |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.10 %) |
0.20 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
27.00 %
|
Islam |
2.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
70.80 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Punjabi, Eastern (69,000 speakers) |
Language Code | pan Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Punjabi |
Dialect Code | 761 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Punjabi, Eastern (69,000 speakers) |
Language Code | pan Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Punjabi |
Dialect Code | 761 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Punjabi, Eastern |
Primary Language: Punjabi, Eastern
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1818-1954) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1815-2011) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1959-2021) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Web Flippy - Pixabay |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |