|
Orisi |
| People Group: |
Orisi |
 |
 |
| Location: |
Myanmar |
| Population: |
111,000 total |
| Religion: |
Hinduism |
| % Christian: |
1.0
% |
| % Evangelical: |
0.20 % |
| Ministry
Resources: |
Bible, Audio New Testament,
Jesus Film |
|
|
Total People Group
Population: |
111,000 |
Other Countries SEAMisT
Links to: |
None |
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|
Additional Information:
While nearly 25 million Orisi live in
India, a smaller group can also be found in neighboring Bangladesh.
Those in Bangladesh live in a hot, rural area that is subject to annual
flooding and deadly cyclones. They are also victims of malnutrition and
overpopulation. The economy is dependent on agriculture; however, the
land remains highly undeveloped. The Orisi speak an Indo-Aryan language
called Oriya.
The emergence of Bangladesh is a recent one that grew out of conflicts
between Muslims and Hindus in India. In the 1930's, a growing Muslim
population desired to break away from a predominantly Hindu India. The
result was Pakistan. The Muslim majority in Bangladesh also wanted to
separate from India. It joined a district of Assam to become East
Pakistan. However, it was greatly discriminated against by West Pakistan
for over 20 years. In 1971, a civil war broke out, ending with an
independent Bangladesh.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Bangladesh is a rural delta region that has very fertile soil due to
annual flooding. Consequently, most of the Orisi earn a living as
farmers. Rice is the principal crop in Bangladesh, just as it is in most
of central and eastern India. Wheat, barley, and corn are also raised
for consumption, and jute is cultivated for export. Because the people
are so dependent on farming for survival, some of the children do not
attend school during critical agricultural seasons.
 Among
the Orisi, the men's responsibilities include sowing seed, plowing,
hunting, and fishing. The women are responsible for weeding the fields,
tending to the household chores, and taking care of the children. Men
commonly to use poles balanced on their shoulders to carry goods, while
women carry things on their heads.
The typical village setting for the Orisi consists of bamboo huts
situated in fertile river valleys or tropical savannas. Small vegetable
gardens and fruit trees are located in the backyards of most houses. In
the flooded coastal areas, the houses are surrounded by rice fields.
This allows the farmers to give the crops year-round attention.
The cultural history of the Orisi includes an excellence in art. They
are famous for their unique folk paintings, sculptures, and
architecture. Dances and music are also a part of their heritage,
including dance drama and folk opera.
What Are Their Belief?
The Orisi are almost entirely Hindu. They constantly struggle to win the
favor of their deities, the "disease spirits," and the village gods.
Gunias (magicians) practice witchcraft and sorcery in the villages.
Extensive rituals and festivals are celebrated throughout the land,
including the New Year's festival and the Fertility of the Earth
festival.
The Orisi believe that sickness is placed on people by evil spirits and
witches. They also sustain the belief that planets and stars in the
zodiac are responsible for an individual's physical and mental
condition, and that leprosy is a punishment for great sins. They look to
herbal folk medicines, exorcisms, and the gunias for cures from these
and other illnesses.
The Orisi believe that death is simply a passing from one life into the
next. They believe that this cycle of death and rebirth will continue
until the spirit merges with the person's "absolute soul." They believe
that Yama, the god of justice, sends the soul to heaven or hell.
What are their needs?
The Bible has been translated into the language of the Orisi, and the
Jesus film is also available. However, satisfaction with Hinduism and
devotion to this religion has hindered a breakthrough in their lives.
Physically, the Orisi are in desperate need of trained medical workers,
adequate health care facilities, proper nutrition, and greater
educational opportunities. More importantly, however, these precious
people need to know that Jesus has the power to cure all of their
diseases and to cause them to prosper. Prayer is the first step toward
seeing them reached with the glorious Gospel message.
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