Marathi speaking Jewish in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Most Marathi speakers come from the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Many of India's states are named after a particular language, and Maharashtra, the state which includes Mumbai, is home of most of India's Marathi speakers. Marathi speakers led a great empire called the Maratha Empire in the 1600s and 1700s.

In the 20th century some Marathi began migrating to the USA. These were generally better educated Marathi who spoke fluent English. Many were professionals such a physicians, scientists, bankers, and engineers.

Only a tiny fraction of Marathi in the USA claims to be followers of Jesus Christ. Many Christian resources including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film are available in Marathi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

In the United States, South Asian communities come together calling themselves "Desis." Though they may be Hindu, Sikh, Jain, or Muslim, they tend to associate with Indians or Pakistani in the USA. Though some of the most used languages in the world are spoken in South Asia, they use English as a common language, especially when they live in English speaking countries like the United States. The desis come together to celebrate their cultures, cuisine and holidays.

However, each language group likes to have their own associations where they can speak the language of their hearts. For this reason, there are Marathi associations throughout the United States. Most of the Marathi speakers, or other South Asians for that matter, are from professional backgrounds. Many own businesses or practice medicine.

In India Marathi tend to marry within their group and caste. In the USA Marathi young people often choose their own partners not from the Marathi culture and language. By the second or third generation, these children frequently identify as Americans not as Indians or Pakistani.


What Are Their Beliefs?

South Asian Hindus are a small minority in the United States. Their Hindu religion is a means to maintaining their culture. They are already losing much of their cultural uniqueness by speaking English at home. Hinduism is a means to maintaining their cultural ties to India.

Hinduism is the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn, and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

It will take believers who are willing to learn about Hindu culture before they can approach Marathi people with the gospel. Some "desi" groups like Tamil speakers already have groups of strong believers. Someone will have to find ways for Marathi speakers to follow Jesus without feeling like they are abandoning what is left of their ancient culture.


Prayer Points

Pray for dreams and visions of the Savior that will open the door for some Marathi to allow Christ to enter their hearts.

Pray for believers in the USA to reach out and build relationships with their Marathi neighbors.

Pray that the Marathi in the USA develop a spiritual hunger and a desire to read the Bible.

Ask the Lord to raise up a disciple making movement among American Marathi this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Jewish, Marathi-speaking in United States.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jewish, Marathi-speaking
People Name in Country Jewish, Marathi-speaking
Natural Name Marathi speaking Jewish
Pronunciation mah-RAH-tee
Alternate Names Marathi Jew; Marati
Population this Country 76,000
Population all Countries 111,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 13533
ROP3 Code 106317
ROP25 Code 305199
ROP25 Name Marati
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.



Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
100.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Marathi (76,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Marathi (76,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Marathi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Digambar Kare - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024