Koli (Hindu traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The term Koli means fisherman. According to legend the Koli claim to be descendents from the Black Dwarf that came forth from the body of King Vena. Numbering more than 12 million, they are one of the largest communities of western India. The Koli constitute of a number of communities with various occupations and cultural identities while still remaining Koli. As their name implies, fishing is common. Some are laborers, agriculturists, water carriers, boatmen and some raise animals. Some Koli have advanced education and have positioned themselves well within society and government, but the majority live within the lower strata of society.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Koli live mostly in the villages and towns of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. They live the simple life of agriculturalists. However, as technology has entered into the life of most people they are also aware of the life available in the city and have experienced a few of the material benefits that can be obtained.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly all of Koli are Hindu while a very few practice Islam. The eldest son inherits the father's authority. The Koli cremate their dead and practice death pollution for eleven days. The Koli worship Guar Mati and Holi Mata among other deities of Hinduism. They also believe in ghosts and spirits. Depending on the region, they will celebrate the Namiya festival associated with fishing as well as Karbha, Bahan and other common festivals. A Brahmin priest will officiate at religious activities as well as rituals associated with the cycles of life.


Prayer Points

Ask God that workers will be sent to every district and village.
Pray that God will raise up Koli evangelists that will have a heart to reach their own.
Pray that God will send film teams that will present the life and death of Jesus.
Pray that the God who has set eternity in their hearts will prepare their hearts for the Gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Koli (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   GSCC  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Koli (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Koli (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation KOH-lee
Alternate Names Bunkar; Buntar; Chamar-Julaha; Dhimar; Kabaria Dagi; Kaperdia; Kapre; Kili; Koda; Koli of Gujarat; Koli Patel; Kora; Koral; Kori; Koria; Kuli; Macchi Koli; Machhi Koli; Machikoli; Mahar-Kili; Malhar; Shilpakar; Shilpkar; Tantubais; Taru; कोली
Population this Country 2,661,000
Population all Countries 2,941,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 53
People ID 17247
ROP3 Code 112615
ROP25 Code 304134
ROP25 Name Koli
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 25
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Madhya Pradesh
775,000
Rajasthan
640,000
Himachal Pradesh
593,000
Delhi
236,000
Haryana
118,000
Telangana
67,000
Uttarakhand
48,000
Karnataka
42,000
Gujarat
36,000
Punjab
29,000
Tamil Nadu
26,000
Maharashtra
17,000
Chhattisgarh
7,500
West Bengal
7,400
Chandigarh
5,500
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 25  (only 20 largest shown)
  Madhya Pradesh 775,000
  Rajasthan 640,000
  Himachal Pradesh 593,000
  Delhi 236,000
  Haryana 118,000
  Telangana 67,000
  Uttarakhand 48,000
  Karnataka 42,000
  Gujarat 36,000
  Punjab 29,000
  Tamil Nadu 26,000
  Maharashtra 17,000
  Chhattisgarh 7,500
  West Bengal 7,400
  Chandigarh 5,500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.26 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.02 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.31 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.41 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (1,338,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 43
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Pahari, Mahasu
142,000
Dhundari
109,000
Marwari
82,000
Mandeali
70,000
Gujarati
69,000
Telugu
56,000
Pahari, Kullu
47,000
Punjabi, Eastern
46,000
Kangri
39,000
Bundeli
38,000
Kannada
26,000
Malvi
24,000
Haroti
19,000
Marathi
16,000
Garhwali
16,000
Primary Language Hindi (1,338,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 43
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Pahari, Mahasu 142,000
  Dhundari 109,000
  Marwari 82,000
  Mandeali 70,000
  Gujarati 69,000
  Telugu 56,000
  Pahari, Kullu 47,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 46,000
  Kangri 39,000
  Bundeli 38,000
  Kannada 26,000
  Malvi 24,000
  Haroti 19,000
  Marathi 16,000
  Garhwali 16,000
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Meena Kadri - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source GSCC  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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