Bengali-speaking South Asian in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Bengali are considered to be the original inhabitants of the Bengal region of southwest Asia. This territory is divided politically between Bangladesh and West Bengal, a state in India. Bengali is the native language spoken by most of the groups in this region. Most of the Bengali diaspora are from Bangladesh, and they are commonly called Bangladeshis.
Although the Bengalis are primarily classified according to language, their culture remains very diversified. In general, the Bengalis are a proud people, highly ambitious, and always striving for excellence. Although outside influences are being incorporated into their culture, the Bengalis remain very proud of their cultural heritage. They are noted in South Asia for their literature.
While the vast majority of Bengalis live in Bangladesh and northeast India, there are significant communities in a number of other countries and other parts of India as well. There are Bengali diaspora communities in Oman, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Myanmar, Singapore, and Japan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bengali-speakers are a small minority of the South Asian peoples in Kenya. South Asians came to Kenya starting in the late 1800s, either as indentured servants or as merchants. The merchants were usually Gujarati Hindus, not Bengali Muslims, though there were exceptions. One Bengali businessman is involved with the macadamia nut trade in Kenya. Most likely, the Bengalis in Kenya blend in with the other South Asian peoples in this African country.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bengali people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the One, Supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. The often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bengali are one of the most significant people groups in South Asia, and their diaspora is felt around the world. Although there have been reports of real progress among the Muslims in Bangladesh, there is a great need for others to reach the Bengalis in Kenya. It could be done; Kenya has a strong Evangelical presence.


Prayer Points

Pray for the physical and spiritual needs of the Bengalis to be met in Kenya.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Bengali-speaking communities all over the world so that they will hunger for truth and righteousness.
Pray for Bengali Muslims in Kenya to have the chance to hear and respond to Jesus Christ.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Bengalis in Kenya.


Scripture Prayers for the South Asian, Bengali-speaking in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General South Asian, Bengali-speaking
People Name in Country South Asian, Bengali-speaking
Natural Name Bengali-speaking South Asian
Pronunciation ben-GAH-lee
Alternate Names Bangla-Bhasa; Bengali, Muslims; Hindu; साउत एशियन, बिंगाली-स्पीकिंग
Population this Country 1,600
Population all Countries 1,884,000
Total Countries 21
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 10790
ROP3 Code 101254
ROP25 Code 301073
ROP25 Name Bengali
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.10 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
93.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
5.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bengali (1,600 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bengali (1,600 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
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)
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 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 Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali 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 Rivka video 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 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 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
Photo Source COMIBAM / Sepal 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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