People group profile · PG048196
The Balmiki (Pahari) of India
The Balmiki (Pahari) of India, numbering about 133,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a Dalit community whose modern identity is strongly tied to devotion to Sage Valmiki and to efforts toward social dignity, education, and upward mobility despite a history of caste-based marginalization.
They are an indigenous people in the Valmiki people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Garhwali.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 133,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Valmiki
- Primary language
- Garhwali (gbm)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 15% or Greater but Less than 20%
- GSEC ?
- 10% or Greater Evangelical
- Lostness priority ?
- Moderately Reached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Himachal Pradesh state; Uttarakhand: Chamoli, Dehra Dun, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, and Uttarkashi districts
Where they live
Gospel status
The Balmiki (Pahari) are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 10% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Balmiki (Pahari)
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
75% adherents
Primary language
Garhwali · Indo-European family
100% speak Garhwali
Gospel resources in Garhwali
- Bible available, published 2021
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories available
Films
- JESUS (Garhwali)
Bibles
- 2018 Edition · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Balmiki (Pahari)
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
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