Bhovi Project

Bhovi is a Scheduled Caste community in Karnataka state. They are also referred to as Bovi, Bayyar, Bhoyi and Bhoi. The word Bhovi is thought to derive from a king named Bhovi, who ruled over a region in southeastern India in medieval times. The people speaking Bhovi language are living in Haveri and surrounding areas in Karnataka State. Their population is around 11,00,000.

Food Habits of Bhovi People:

The chief food items of these people are a dish called “mutta” prepared from ‘cholam’ and ‘ragi kanji’. Sometimes these people take rice food and wheat bread.

Occupation of Bhovi People:

The Bhovi community engages in physically demanding work such as breaking stones, digging soil, constructing lakes, building houses, and manufacturing various household materials, relying on their hard work and strength. They also engage in agriculture, though this is a secondary occupation. Very few of them are city dwellers.

Each family has its own deity for worship. But generally, for the entire community there is a temple of goddess Durga Devi. The week day for the worship is Friday. Every Ugadi (New year according to Indian calendar), they celebrate a fair by individual contribution from all people of the community. The practice of Bali (animal sacrifice) is found. Usually on the Day of Annual Fair, lamb, fowl he buffaloes or goat are offered as sacrifice. The animal sacrifice (Bali) is the speciality of these deities. It is believed that, these deities are strong and short tempered and hence they need the sacrifice of blood. The practice of child marriage is not prevalent in this community. A girl is wed only after reaching maturity. If the groom agrees, the bride is presented with sacred bananas. This is followed by inquiries regarding the compatibility of their horoscopes. The Bhovi Waddar community comprises over a hundred ‘Bedagu’ (Gotras). The bride receives a ceremonial Arathi from the elders, marking their engagement. Prior to the wedding, the groom’s family is required to provide vadhudakshina to the bride.

Education and Christianity

• Literacy rate is 49%.
• Christian population is less than 2%.

In 2008, Mrs. Latha Karjagi, participated in a meeting in Mysore. During this meeting, Rev. Prof. Panneer Selvam approached her with a proposal to translate the Bible in Bhovi language. He outlined the fundamentals of Bible translation. After the translator gained insight into the translation process, she started translating the Bible in the Bhovi language from 2009.

IBT Publications:

• Gospel of Mark in Bhovi language was dedicated and released by TELC Rev. Christopher Chellappa on 02.06.2014 on the first Memorial Day of Late Rev. Prof. Panneer Selvam Founder of IBT.
• Gospel of Mathew was dedicated and released by Rev. Ramesh Kumar and the first copy was received by the Bhovi translator Mrs. Latha Ramachandra on 18th May 2019.
• The New Testament was released by IBT Co-founder Mrs. Sudandira Devi Panneerselvam and the first copy was received by Bhovi translator Mrs. Latha Ramachandra on 11th May 2024.
• The books of Psalms and Proverbs are planned to be released in 2026 based on the exegetical checking by Bible Society of India.
• Currently, Old Testament translation is in progress.