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Valmiki (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan

Valmiki (Hindu traditions)

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Valmiki (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan map

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Population [2] Language Religion % Christian % Evangl Online NT Jesus Film Progress
118,000 Saraiki Hinduism 0.00 % 0.00 % No   

Valmiki (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan

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Introduction / History
All Valmiki claim to be descendants of Valmiki, an author of the Ramayana. Some of the Valmiki living in the Punjab have converted to Sikhism. Some Valmiki became Muslims during the Mogul Period.
In colonial times, the Valmiki were known as a martial (military) caste. Many of them found employment in the British Army. Today Valmiki continue to serve in the Pakistani Armed Forces.
The primary languages of the Valmiki of Pakistan are Saraiki, Western Punjabi and Sindhi. There are few in any believers among the Valmiki in either India or Pakistan.
The vast majority of the Hindu Valmiki people live in India. Much smaller populations live in Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh.

What are their lives like?
In India and Pakistan most Valmiki occupy a lower place in society. Besides serving in the military, Valmiki labor as streetsweepers, watchmen, toilet cleaners, and as farm workers. The Valmiki generally do not own the land they work on. Some Valmiki have become educated and work in politics, teaching and government positions.
The Valmiki tend to marry within their group. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young couple. Girls marry in their teens while boys are a few years older. Marriage to one spouse is the norm among the Valmiki. Boys receive at least an elementary education while girls often quit school after a few years to help their mother with domestic responsibilities.
Rural Valmiki often lack access to modern medicine, so their life expectancy is less than 60 years. Valmiki parents have many children. Unfortunately, many children die before reaching the age of ten. Their main foods are rice, vegetable and lentils. Hindu Valmiki eat meat except for beef. They also refrain from eating pork as to not offend their Muslim neighbors.

What are their beliefs?
The Valmiki 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 as Christians do. 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 Valmiki need new job skills so they can improve their place in society. Valmiki women need to improve their literacy levels. Rural Valmiki would benefit by having access to modern medicine. Most of all, Valmiki must hear and respond to the good news about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.

Prayer Points
Ask the Lord to send anointed workers to the Valmiki of Pakistan and India.
Pray that the leaders among the Valmiki would be open to hearing the gospel.
Pray that the Valmiki would be led by the Holy Spirit to listen to Christian radio programs.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Valmiki this decade.

References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valmiki_caste
https://dbpedia.org/page/Valmiki_caste
https://www.quora.com/In-which-caste-does-Valmiki-fall-under

View Valmiki (Hindu traditions) in all countries.

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Country: Pakistan
Continent: Asia
Region: Asia, South
Persecution Rank:7 (Only top 50 ranked, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
10/40 Window: Yes
Population in Country:118,000
Largest Provinces:
Punjab (55,000)Sindh (55,000)
Balochistan (3,600)Islamabad (600)
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (400)
   
 
Maps
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Country Map:Political map
Ethnolinguistic Map:University of Texas or other map
 
  Peoples [3]
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People Name in Country: Valmiki (Hindu traditions)
People Name General: Valmiki (Hindu traditions)
Alternate People Names:
BalmikBalmiki
BhangiByada
ChurhraHair
HariMalkana Mehtar
MehtarMehtor
ROP3 Code: 119347
Joshua Project People ID: 22348
Indigenous: Yes
Population in Country: 118,000
Population all Countries: 5,930,000
Least-Reached: Yes
   
 
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
People Cluster: South Asia Tribal - other
People Name General: Valmiki (Hindu traditions)
Ethnic Code: CNN25
Ethnic Relationships: Affinity Bloc -> People Cluster -> Peoples Ethnicity Tree
   
 
Language
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Primary Language: Saraiki (47,000 Speakers)
Language Code (ISO): skr    Ethnologue Listing
Secondary Languages:
Punjabi, Western (32,000)Sindhi (24,000)
Marwari (12,000)Dhatki (4,500)
Urdu (400)Kacchi (300)
Hindko, Southern (300)Pahari-Potwari (200)
Bagri (200)Goaria (30)
Note: Only 10 largest secondary languages listed
Total Languages: 12
   
 
Religion [4]
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Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religions:
Buddhism0.00 % 
Christianity0.00 %(Evangelical: 0.00 %)
Ethnic Religions0.00 % 
Hinduism100.00 % 
Islam0.00 % 
Non-Religious0.00 % 
Other / Small0.00 % 
Unknown0.00 % 
Christianity Segments:
Anglican0.00 %
Independent0.00 %
Protestant0.00 %
Orthodox0.00 %
Other Christian0.00 %
Roman Catholic0.00 %
 
(Evangelicals distributed across Christianity segments)
   
 
Progress Indicators [5]
Progress Scale[6]   Few evangelicals and few who claim to be Christians. Little, if any, history of Christianity.
Least-Reached: Yes
 
 
Bible Translation Status
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Bible Portions: 1888-2009
New Testament: None Reported
Complete Bible: None Reported
Possible Bible Sources: Forum of Bible Agencies
 World Bible Finder
 World Christian Resource Directory
 Gospel Go
 
 
Ministry Resources [7]
Audio RecordingsMegaVoice Audio Bible and Stories
Audio RecordingsAudio Bible teaching
Audio RecordingsStory of Jesus audio
Film / VideoJesus Film: view in Saraiki
Film / VideoWorld Christian Videos
GeneralBible for Children
GeneralBiblical answers to your questions
GeneralGospel resources links
Text / Printed MatterLiteracy primer for Saraiki
 
 
Ministry Activity
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Networking: Visit LinkingGlobalVoices.org for networking possibilities.
Description: Register your ministry activity among this people group. Contact the Adopt-A-People Clearinghouse and Unleashed for the Unreached to learn about others that might be focused on this people group.
 
Data Notes
Data Sources
 
 

Valmiki (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan

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Direct link:  http://legacy.joshuaproject.net/people-profile.php?peo3=22348&rog3=PK