As various Muslim groups began invading India and Pakistan in the eleventh century, the Gujur Hindus converted to Islam. When this happened, their resentful Hindu neighbors began to rise up and take control of the area. The Gujur were forced to leave the region and search for good pastures elsewhere. Their wanderings took them into Pakistan and Afghanistan, where thousands have remained until this day.

The partition of Pakistan and India in 1947 also caused many tribal migrations. Masses of Muslims immigrated to Pakistan, while the Hindus flocked to India.

What are their lives like?
Ever since their conversion to Islam in the eleventh century, the Gujur have been bound by a life of poverty, illiteracy, and social oppression. In general, they are a simple, inoffensive people with a generous, hospitable nature. Today, most of the Gujur living in India live as law-abiding shepherds and farmers. Unfortunately, they are still belittled by those of higher castes (social classes), and often labeled as thieves and vagrants.

The Gujur living in the mountain forests of northeastern India raise buffalo. Unfortunately, the Indian government has imposed regulations on the number of buffalo one family can keep, and on how long they can live in the forests. This has been distressing for the Gujur, since this is their main source of income. For this reason, these nomads are constantly searching for new pastures for their herds.

The Gujur nomads who live in the state of Kashmir are often cheated by the "middlemen," who take their agricultural products to the city markets and sell them as their own.

The Gujur castes are broadly divided along religious and geographic lines into two groups: the Muslim Gujur and the Hindu Gujur. The Muslims are seasonal nomads who live in windowless, one-room houses during sedentary growing seasons; whereas, the Hindus are settled farmers who live in the same place all year.

Most of the Gujur in Afghanistan are gypsy-like groups, who earn their living as tinkers (traveling menders of household goods), musicians, tradesmen, or fortune-tellers. Many are extremely poor and have resorted to begging and crime. Others are nomadic goat herders who travel the eastern valleys during the summer months. Unfortunately, conflicts between Afghanistan and Russia in recent years have damaged the economy for those who work in agriculture and trade.

The Gujur living in the forested mountain regions usually build their homes in clearings along the mountain fringes. The dwellings have one, two, or three rooms and are built with flat roofs. In contrast, the homes of those living in Kashmir typically have angular roofs. Since they cook inside over open fires, their homes are often dark and smoky.

The Gujur are divided into hundreds of clans. Their societies are patrilineal, which means that inheritances are passed down through the males. Marriages are usually arranged by the parents, and a "bride price" of either cash or buffalo is paid to the girl's family. They are permitted to marry outside their clans, and young couples generally live near the grooms' parents.

All three Gujur groups speak Gujuri, an Indo-Aryan language. This common factor has helped to identify them as a distinct sub-group. The Gujur of Afghanistan also speak Pashto and/or Dari, which are Persian languages (and are spoken by 75% of the Afghani population).

What are their beliefs?
A majority of the Gujur are Muslims; however, those who are Hindus (about 30%) have greatly influenced the others. For instance, most Gujur have copies of the Koran in their homes; in spite of that they may also worship a "family deity" and observe some of the traditional Hindu feasts such as Holi.

Because the Muslim Gujur share Hindu customs, they are not generally accepted by other Muslims. Nevertheless, in their desire for a unified front against the Hindus, the Muslim Kashmiri have agreed to accept the nomadic Gujur Muslims who recently entered Kashmir.

What are their needs?
The Gujur are in desperate need of the scriptures. At the present time, however, Gujuri has no written script. Either a written language must be developed for them, or they must be taught to read and understand one of the regional languages. Perhaps this will open a door of opportunity for Christian teachers to live among the Gujur and share the love of Christ with them.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord to send forth laborers into India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to share Christ with the Gujur.
• Pray that God will encourage the small number of Gujur believers and give them a vision to reach their own people.
• Ask God to send Christian teachers to live and work among the Gujur.
• Pray that God will raise up qualified linguists to develop a written script for the Gujuri language.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Gujur so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Pray that God will open the hearts of the governmental leaders of India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan to the Gospel.
• Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Gujur by the year 2000.

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Bethany World Prayer Center
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