The Bandi claim the status of sudras, the lowest of the four caste levels. However, many Indians treat them as being low class, people outside of the Hindu system. Traditionally they have worked as village servants and in agriculture on land owned by others.
The primary language of the Bandi is Tamil. They also speak other local languages. Many resources are available in Tamil including a complete Bible, the JESUS Film and radio programs. There are few if any Bandi believers.
They live in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka.
In past times, Bandi did a variety of odd village jobs from cleaning copper pots to pounding rice, to collecting firewood to cleaning floors. Today they are more likely to be involved in agricultural work or to work for the government. Few own land. Unfortunately, they can become dependent on moneylenders. That means that they are not likely to get out of debt or poverty. They do have electricity and well water in their villages. Some Bandi young people are moving to Indian cities in search of a better life. They often have to take menial, low paying jobs due to their lack of education and job skills.
Bandi marry within their group. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. They often have a large number of children. Many of their children quit school after a few years to help their family make a living. Sons inherit their father's property. Sons have the responsibility of taking care of elderly relatives. Illiteracy is a problem especially for Bandi women and girls. Since Bandi are considered as a low class community, they have to have their own Hindu priests and shrines.
The Bandi 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 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.
The Bandi must learn new job skills to succeed in the modern Indian society. They need good schools for their children. Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.
Pray that the Bandi people will soon encounter the good news of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to send loving workers to the Bandi people of southern India.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Bandi people in this decade.
Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment among the Bandi people.
Scripture Prayers for the Bandi (Hindu traditions) in India.
https://indiankanoon.org/search/?formInput=bandi%20community
peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=41735
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bandi (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Bandi (Hindu traditions) |
Alternate Names | Baandhi; Banda; Bande; Bandekar; Bander; Bhandari; Gbandi; Kad Havik; Kad Konkan; Konkan Devadiga; Lander; Mondaru; Mondi; Mondiwar; बंदी |
Population this Country | 5,700 |
Population all Countries | 5,700 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19009 |
ROP3 Code | 114927 |
ROP25 Code | 300810 |
ROP25 Name | Bandi (Goanese) |
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 | 6 | ||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 6 |
Tamil Nadu 3,700 | |
Goa 1,000 | |
Karnataka 800 | |
Kerala 200 | |
Andhra Pradesh 100 | |
Puducherry 20 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.92 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.08 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Tamil (2,100 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 7 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil (2,100 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 7 |
Secondary Languages | |
Telugu 1,000 | |
Konkani, Goan 800 | |
Kannada 600 | |
Konkani 100 | |
Tulu 90 | |
Malayalam 60 | |
People Groups | Speaking Tamil |
Primary Language: Tamil
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1714-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1715-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1727-2024) |
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 |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |