Hajang in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Most of the Bengali groups are easily defined by their common language, Bengali. However, there are several smaller tribes who are also referred to as Bengali, but speak languages other than Bengali. Their languages belong to the Assamese-Bengali sub-group of the Indo-Aryan language family and include these groups: the Hajong and Kishanganjia of India, the Hajong and Tajpuri of Bangladesh, and the Rajbansi and Kayort of Nepal.

The Hajong originated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, and then migrated north. Today, most of them live in east central Bangladesh, primarily in the northern part of the Mymensingh district, which lies on the southern slopes of the Garo Hills. From there, some immigrated into India and now live in the states of Assam, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh. Unfortunately, many of those who now live in Arunachal Pradesh are in danger of being evicted, even though they have been settled there for 30 years. The Tajpuri live in the plains of Rangpur, which is located in northern Bangladesh near the border of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Bengali who live in India and Bangladesh are involved in some type of farming. Wet rice is their primary crop, and wheat and potatoes have also recently been added. Some have remarkable skills in weaving and embroidery. They make items that are traded in the weekly markets.

Muslim invaders began conquering the Hindu regions of Bangladesh in the twelfth century. When many of the Bengali tribes were overrun in 1600-1700 A.D. by Muslims, they took refuge in the hills. They later returned and settled in the adjoining plains where most have continued to live.

The "clan system" was formerly unknown to the tribal Bengali communities. However, when these tribes embraced Hinduism, they accepted the twelve clans associated with the Hindu castes.

The various Bengali tribes, like most other people groups of South Asia, have a clear division of labor. Regardless of a family's occupational specialty, the men perform various work that take place outside of the home, while the women are responsible for the tasks that can be performed inside the home. Among these tribes, land has always been individually owned. Small family farms, usually about one hectare in size (about 2.5 acres), are often sub-divided.

Most marriages in Bengali society are arranged. However, there are marked differences between the Hindu and Muslim wedding ceremonies. When mates are being chosen, caste and social rank are very important considerations. In rural areas, married couples almost always live with or near the groom's parents. The only exception to this practice is among the Tajpuri and even they are gradually conforming. Most of the tribal Bengali communities have special dormitories where single young men live. This "house" is also used as a meeting place for the village elders.

The racial origin of the Tajpuri is surrounded by much controversy. Although they claim to be the descendants of great kings, they belong to a matriarchal (female-dominated) society.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In general, the various Bengali tribes are "Hinduized" religionists. Although they have adopted the Hindu caste system and the worship of millions of Hindu gods, they also continue to practice their ethnic religions. Only one Bengali tribe, the Tajpuri of Bangladesh, has a considerable number of Muslims. Nevertheless, they too, practice some of their ethnic beliefs alongside Islam.

The Bengali's tribal religions are based on the belief in a variety of village and household gods. The people also believe in life after death. Village elders are responsible for conducting the religious ceremonies.

Like other tribal groups, the Bengali are animists, believing that the spirits of the gods live inside the mountains, the rivers, and the forests. Therefore, many objects in nature are worshipped. However, as they are becoming more and more educated, many are coming out of their world of folk beliefs, animism and magic.


What Are Their Needs?

At the present time, their greatest need is to have the Gospel in their own language. Perhaps the second greatest need is for better education.

Because most of the tribal Bengali are Hindu, they have been subject to much persecution and religious conflict. The groups living in Bangladesh comprise only a minority of the population, and have also experienced great rejection and religious persecution. Those in India are viewed as refugees and are therefore treated as outcasts. These groups need to know the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth missionaries to live among the Bengali tribes.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.
Pray that the small number of Bengali Christians will be a light for the Gospel.
Ask God to raise up Christian school teachers to take the Gospel to these tribes.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong fellowships of believers among the tribal Bengalis.


Scripture Prayers for the Hajang in India.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Hajang
People Name in Country Hajang
Alternate Names East Bengali; Hajong; हजंग
Population this Country 96,000
Population all Countries 115,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 12036
ROP3 Code 103647
ROP25 Code 302935
ROP25 Name Hajong / Hajang
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 5
Largest States
Meghalaya
54,000
Assam
41,000
West Bengal
700
Manipur
100
Mizoram
60
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 5
  Meghalaya 54,000
  Assam 41,000
  West Bengal 700
  Manipur 100
  Mizoram 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.22 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.87 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.58 %
Islam
0.18 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.13 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (39,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 46
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hajong
28,000
Assamese
10,000
Hindi
1,600
Garo
700
Koch
400
Boro
200
Mising
100
Khasi
100
Bhojpuri
70
Karbi
50
Hmar
50
Nepali
40
Ho
30
Sadri
30
Naga, Mao
30
Primary Language Bengali (39,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 46
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hajong 28,000
  Assamese 10,000
  Hindi 1,600
  Garo 700
  Koch 400
  Boro 200
  Mising 100
  Khasi 100
  Bhojpuri 70
  Karbi 50
  Hmar 50
  Nepali 40
  Ho 30
  Sadri 30
  Naga, Mao 30
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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Photo Source Gerald Roberts 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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