The Chain are mainly a landowning community. Agriculture is their traditional and primary occupation.
Shell (sankha) bangles and vermilion are the symbols of married women. An Agradani or Kantaha Brahmin officiates as a priest during ceremonial rituals.
The Chain people practice Hinduism, 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 or Jews. 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.
The Chain people need to be freed from spiritual opposition that blinds them to the glory of Christ.
Pray for workers among the Chain people in Bangladesh and India. Pray for Chain leaders to become spiritually open to the ways of Jesus Christ. There are no known followers of Christ within the Chain community in Bangladesh. Pray they will encounter believers in their interactions outside of the group, who will be lead to share the Gospel with them. Pray the Chain community will be able to prepare their children for productive lives, with good schools available.
Scripture Prayers for the Chain in Bangladesh.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |