- Population 57,595,000
- Main Language Hindi
- Main Religion Hinduism
- Jesus followers 0%
- Workers Needed 1,152 (1 worker/50000)
Begin with WorshipAnd they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10)
The term 'Yadav' covers many castes which initially had different names; Ahir in the Hindi belt of Punjab and Gujarat, Gavli in Maharashtra, Gola in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Their traditional occupation was that of herdsmen, cowherds and milk sellers. Hence they identify closely with their caste deity, Krishna who was from that background. However, most Yadavs today are cultivators, mainly engaged in tilling the land, with less than one third of the population involved in dairy farming.
Yadav have taken up significant roles as businessmen, teachers, doctors, engineers and political leaders; and they are a part of the rising middle class in India. In the past decades, Yadavs have led political parties and governments in the two largest states: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. However, they have largely remained socially and educationally backward and they are now categorized as Other Backward Castes (OBC). In fact, at around 62 million, Yadavs constitute the largest single caste grouping among India’s OBCs.
The Yadav have expertise in oral traditions and group singing about their gods: Krishna, Vishnu and others. They claim Krishna as their blood ancestor and so are especially devoted to him. For protection from curses the Yadav are also known to put faith in amulets, astrologers and traditional healers. In recent years there are some families and whole villages of Yadavs moving towards Christ, some led by Yadav followers of Jesus.
Prayers for the families of the Yadav:
Lord, send believing families who want to live with the Yadav, bless them, learn their ways, respect their history and invite them into discipleship relationships following Jesus together.
Lord, bless Your Holy Scriptures in their language (more than half are Hindi speakers). Bless the Yadav through stories shared, songs sung, and the free audio Bible stories believers bring to study in their homes. Lord, draw the Yadav to people to those who can share Your Holy Scriptures with them.
Lord, reveal to the Yadav that You care about their history and legacy and that You have a calling for them to both lay down their lives and to meet their needs.
God’s blessing on the Yadav and all OBCs: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned! (Isaiah 9:2)
Resources for Yadav
Yadav (Hindu traditions) in India people group profile | Joshua Project
A beautiful video featuring the Yadav, published recently by the Phule Center for OBC Studies:Yadav Presentation Video
Might you be called to 14 Days of Prayer blessing OBCs in India? The introductory section also provides rich insights into their culture and barriers to the Good News: BLESSINGS ON INDIA - Loving the OBC Families (downloadable PDF). The first two days are dedicated to our Yadav brothers and sisters as the largest OBC grouping by population.
Current news affecting the Yadav people in India in the past 6 months - Google Search
Thank you for joining the Lord today to ignite multiplying Jesus families throughout Frontier Peoples!