Birhors are a nomadic tribe found in the region, in states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. 'Bir' means jungle and 'hor' means men. They speak the critically endangered Birhor language and were hunter-gatherers traditionally. They are part of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). They worship nature. Local legends say that they are the descendants of Lord Surya — the sun god.

In the past, Birhors used to hunt wild animals like monkeys, fowl, rabbits, titirs (small birds) and pigs.

Taking advantage of their misery, several Christian missionaries have attempted to woo the Birhors (and other tribes in the region) to take up Christianity and place their faith in the Bible. Kendaram says that conversion activities have happened in the village earlier. Four to five Manjhi families have succumbed to it.

A Sharan Setty presentation.

Subscribe to Swarajya on YouTube.

Get a Swarajya subscription: https://subscriptions.swarajyamag.com...

Website: https://swarajyamag.com/
Twitter:   / swarajyamag  
Facebook:   / swarajyamag  

#ForcedConversions #GharWapsi #ChhattisgarhTourism #Adivasi #RamMandirAyodhya #ChristianMissionaries