Jhalo Malo 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

The Jhalo Malo are a low class group of people who live in Bengali region of northeast India and Bangladesh. Malo means "boatman" in Arabic. The traditional occupation of the Jhalo Malo is that of fishing. They fish with nets in the Bay of Bengal and in the rivers of northeast India.

The Malo also work as landless laborers in agriculture. They constitute a Scheduled Caste in India meaning they are eligible for special consideration for public jobs and university admission.

Unfortunately, the Malo are looked down upon by Indian society. Brahmin castes will not receive food or water from them. Illiteracy is a big problem with many Malo people unable to read or write. The Indian government is trying to raise the educational and economic levels of the Malo. Much work still needs to be done.

The primary language of the Jhalo Malo is Bengali. Others speak Assamese, Hindi and other languages of India.


Where Are they Located?

The largest community of Jhalo Malo lives in the Indian states of west Bengal and Assam. Smaller groups live other regions of north and central India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Jhalo Malo are difficult. When fishing is good, they can earn enough money to feed their families. When fishing is bad, they can starve. Landless farm workers often live by the whim of the landowners.

The Jhalo Malo marry within their caste but not within their particular clan or family. Families arrange marriages. Fortunately, child marriage of Jhalo girls is disappearing. Sons inherit what little property a father possesses.

Since most Brahmins refuge to associate with them, the Malo priests officiate at important life ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. The Malo dead are cremated often near a river.

The main foods of the Jhalo Malo are fish, rice, curries, vegetables and other grains.

As Hindus, they do not eat beef.

Caste councils promote the Malo interests and decide legal disputes.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jhalo Malo are Hindus and devoted to Vishnu, the preserver god and his avatars, especially Rama and Krishna. Malo are often denied entrance into Hindu temples so they have their own shrines and places of worship.

Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Malo visit shrines and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their god Vishnu and his consort.

The main yearly holidays of the Jhalo Malo people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jhalo Malo have tremendous spiritual and physical needs. They need help in educating their children. They would benefit by modern medicine. They need help in learning new job skills to escape their poverty. Most of all, they need to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord sends Christian workers to help the Jhalo Malo.
Pray that the Jhalo Malo turn away from Vishnu and open their hearts to Jesus.
Pray that Indian Christians would reach out and share the gospel with them.
Pray that whole families of the Jhalo Malo are brought to the Savior and that Bible believing churches are planted in the Malo people.


Scripture Prayers for the Jhalo Malo in India.


References

peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=41500
http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dalit_Community
indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Malo,_Bankura


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Jhalo Malo
People Name in Country Jhalo Malo
Pronunciation JOH-loh MOH-loh
Alternate Names Mala; Malakar; Malo; Malo Patni; झालो मालो
Population this Country 482,000
Population all Countries 703,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 10
People ID 17007
ROP3 Code 112331
ROP25 Code 303370
ROP25 Name Jhalo Malo
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 15
Largest States
West Bengal
348,000
Assam
95,000
Odisha
23,000
Jharkhand
11,000
Meghalaya
2,200
Andaman and Nicobar
1,200
Bihar
800
Tripura
400
Delhi
300
Arunachal Pradesh
200
Nagaland
200
Manipur
80
Maharashtra
70
Telangana
30
Mizoram
30
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 15
  West Bengal 348,000
  Assam 95,000
  Odisha 23,000
  Jharkhand 11,000
  Meghalaya 2,200
  Andaman and Nicobar 1,200
  Bihar 800
  Tripura 400
  Delhi 300
  Arunachal Pradesh 200
  Nagaland 200
  Manipur 80
  Maharashtra 70
  Telangana 30
  Mizoram 30
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.83 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (300,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Assamese
70,000
Odia
19,000
Hindi
17,000
Bhojpuri
500
Maithili
300
Kurux
100
Mundari
90
Santhali
60
Kui
40
Primary Language Bengali (300,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Assamese 70,000
  Odia 19,000
  Hindi 17,000
  Bhojpuri 500
  Maithili 300
  Kurux 100
  Mundari 90
  Santhali 60
  Kui 40
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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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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