Nagarchi (Hindu traditions) in India


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

Subgroups: 5

Subgroup Name Population
Badyakar 29,000
Nagesia 25,000
Telha 6,200
Dhuria 6,100
Senduri 5,500

Introduction / History

The Nagarchi are a people who live in northeast India. Their name comes from a word for kettledrum, "nagara." The Nagarchi make these drums and play them at both Hindu and Muslim festivals and significant family events. Another use of these drums was as a type of clock. The Nagarchi would beat the drums at sunrise and sunset. Still another use of the kettledrums was at the entrance of palaces and forts at the coming and going of dignitaries. Nagarchi women often served in villages as midwives for the poorer castes.

The Nagarchi fall into the Scheduled Caste classification. They are eligible for special consideration for public jobs and university admissions. Many of the Nagarchi are illiterate, a problem which the Indian government and many nongovernmental organizations are trying to alleviate.

The two primary languages of the Nagarchi are Hindi and Chhattisgarhi.


Where Are they Located?

The Nagarchi live in the northeastern Indian states of Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand.


What Are Their Lives Like?

While the Nagarchi's traditional occupation was as drummers, today most Nagarchi work in agriculture and raising animals. They reside in villages with other castes. The Nagarchi marry within their group but not within the same clan. Sons inherit an equal share of their father's property. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. The newly married couple lives with or near the groom's parents.

The Nagarchi are not vegetarians but as Hindus will not eat beef. If they live with or near Muslims, they will not eat pork so as to not offend they neighbors.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Nagarchi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Some Hindus see them are nominal Hindus because they will play their drums at Muslim events.

The Nagarchi worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 Nagarchi visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Nagarchi people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nagarchi need to hear and to respond to the message of Jesus Christ. They need help in educating their children. They need help in learning job skills to they can escape the poverty in which many of them live. Medical workers can bring to them the benefits of modern medicine. Many of their villages do not have access to clean water and electricity.


Prayer Points

Pray that the tiny number of Nagarchi who are believers would be established in the faith and share the good news with their brothers and sisters.
Ask God to deliver families and communities within the Nagarchi people from fears that hinder them from embracing His blessings.
Pray that the Nagarchi begin to play their drums for the one, true God of the Bible.


Scripture Prayers for the Nagarchi (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2012/10/31
joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17741
joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17741/BG
peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=49750


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Nagarchi (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Nagarchi (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation nuh-GAR-chee
Alternate Names Badyakar; Bajandar; Dhuli; Dhulia; Nagara; Nagarji; Nagesia; Natta; Shabdakar; नागरची (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 177,000
Population all Countries 195,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
People ID 17741
ROP3 Code 113199
ROP25 Code 305788
ROP25 Name Nagarchi
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 10
Largest States
Chhattisgarh
136,000
West Bengal
19,000
Jharkhand
19,000
Madhya Pradesh
700
Tripura
700
Rajasthan
600
Odisha
400
Bihar
400
Maharashtra
300
Andaman and Nicobar
40
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 10
  Chhattisgarh 136,000
  West Bengal 19,000
  Jharkhand 19,000
  Madhya Pradesh 700
  Tripura 700
  Rajasthan 600
  Odisha 400
  Bihar 400
  Maharashtra 300
  Andaman and Nicobar 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.03 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.60 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
96.67 %
Islam
0.12 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
2.53 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (88,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 38
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Chhattisgarhi
32,000
Sadri
16,000
Bengali
9,400
Kurux
1,300
Magahi
1,200
Odia
500
Marathi
300
Punjabi, Eastern
100
Korwa
40
Santhali
40
Gujarati
40
Munda
40
Tamil
20
Nepali
20
Gondi, Northern
10
Primary Language Hindi (88,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 38
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Chhattisgarhi 32,000
  Sadri 16,000
  Bengali 9,400
  Kurux 1,300
  Magahi 1,200
  Odia 500
  Marathi 300
  Punjabi, Eastern 100
  Korwa 40
  Santhali 40
  Gujarati 40
  Munda 40
  Tamil 20
  Nepali 20
  Gondi, Northern 10
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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