Balija (Hindu traditions) in India

The Balija (Hindu traditions) have only been reported 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 two main languages of the Balija are Kannada and Telugu. Many also speak Tamil. The Hindu Balija people reside in South India mostly in the states of Andhra Prades, Karnataka, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are an ethnic minority with only a small political voice in domestic and governmental affairs. They derive their income from a variety of sources. Some trade in bangles, pearls, and salt, while others have turned to farming and land ownership. A few have jobs in government and medical services.

The social life of the Balija follows along lines of the caste system. They marry outside the clan, but only within their people group. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit their father's property. Widows are not allowed to remarry. Sons have the responsibility of taking care of elderly parents. They are not vegetarians but as Hindus do not eat beef. They are allowed to drink alcohol, a factor that indicates a low caste status. Alcoholism is a problem among these people.

The Balija tend to have large families. Their rural villages often lack access to modern medicine and clean water. These factors result in high child mortality. Children often quit school after a few years to help support their families. Illiteracy is a major issue for Balija women and girls. Many young people are leaving the villages and moving to Indian cities in hope of a better life.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Balija 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. 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?

Rural Balija need good schools for their children. They need new job skills if they are to make progress in Indian society. These people need to realize that they cannot please God without being empowered by the Holy Spirit. They cannot have the Holy Spirit without having Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Balija would experience true spiritual freedom in Christ this decade.
Pray that neighboring Indian believers would take the gospel to Balija communities.
Pray for Balija followers of Christ to find fellowship and disciple others who in turn will disciple others.
Ask the Lord to send Holy Spirit anointed workers to the Balija.
Pray that Balija parents would be able to provide for their children with better schools.
Ask the Lord to raise up a disciple making movement among the Balija in this decade.


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


References

https://www.cs.odu.edu/~salam/wsdl/inforet/wikihtml/Balija.html
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Balija
https://www.indianetzone.com/50/balija_caste.htm


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Balija (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Balija (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation BAH-lee-jah
Alternate Names Ambiga; Balegara; Baliga; Balija Naidu; Besta; Bestala; Bestar; Bholla; Bogam; Boya Bestha; Chetti Balija; Deogarhiya Gond; Gajula; Gangemakkalu; Gavara; Gazula; Gazula Balija; Gazut Balija; Gudem Dasari; Kabbera; Kasba; Kasban; Kasbi; Kasbi Khelna; Kasbin; Khelda; Khelta; Kisbe; Mannur; Munnur; Mutrasi; Naidu; Parivara; Parivarattar; Rajamandir; Siviar; Siviyar; Thogra; Thota Balija; Toreyar; Vaduga; Vaidu; Valia; Varala; Veerasaiva Lingayat; बलिजा (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,789,000
Population all Countries 1,789,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 36
People ID 16312
ROP3 Code 111442
ROP25 Code 300768
ROP25 Name Balija
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 20
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Karnataka
1,039,000
Telangana
322,000
Tamil Nadu
238,000
Odisha
81,000
Maharashtra
51,000
Chhattisgarh
24,000
Andhra Pradesh
15,000
Madhya Pradesh
5,600
Kerala
1,700
Jharkhand
800
Delhi
500
Bihar
400
Gujarat
300
Goa
300
Chandigarh
70
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 20
  Karnataka 1,039,000
  Telangana 322,000
  Tamil Nadu 238,000
  Odisha 81,000
  Maharashtra 51,000
  Chhattisgarh 24,000
  Andhra Pradesh 15,000
  Madhya Pradesh 5,600
  Kerala 1,700
  Jharkhand 800
  Delhi 500
  Bihar 400
  Gujarat 300
  Goa 300
  Chandigarh 70
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.31 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.68 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Kannada (838,000 speakers)
Language Code kan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
Telugu
819,000
Tamil
82,000
Odia
21,000
Tulu
4,700
Chhattisgarhi
4,600
Konkani
2,400
Marathi
2,100
Konkani, Goan
1,500
Gondi, Northern
1,400
Hindi
700
Kurux
200
Kui
200
Primary Language Kannada (838,000 speakers)
Language Code kan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
  Telugu 819,000
  Tamil 82,000
  Odia 21,000
  Tulu 4,700
  Chhattisgarhi 4,600
  Konkani 2,400
  Marathi 2,100
  Konkani, Goan 1,500
  Gondi, Northern 1,400
  Hindi 700
  Kurux 200
  Kui 200
People Groups Speaking Kannada

Primary Language:  Kannada

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1988)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1823-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1827-2023)
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Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
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General Zume Resources Zume Project
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Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  India Missions Association  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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