Sanei in India

The Sanei have only been reported 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 Sanei are a small community that claims a very low caste status. There are no anthropological books or articles about them that would explain their past. They eat all meats except pork and beef, which indicates low status.


Where Are they Located?

The Hindu Sanei people live in Odisha, a state in eastern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Each Sanei gotra (clan) is represented by a totemistic animal. Within each clan there are more subdivisions that indicate their lineage and regulate who can marry who. For example, they do not allow their people to marry someone from a different caste. At one time they allowed for child marriage but now they don't marry until they are young adults. Most marriages are arranged by family head-determined negotiations, but some marriages come from the young man and woman deciding to marry without consent. There used to be a large bride price, but now this is reduced to a small, token amount paid between families.

When a Sanei girl has her first period, she is secluded for a week. Then she applies turmeric paste to her body, takes a bath, and puts on a new sari. Then she goes to a Shiva temple to make an offering.

Economically, many of the Sanei people own a small amount of land. Those who don't are landless laborers or have small, petty businesses. Their women contribute greatly to the family income, often by working as maids or by doing farm work for others.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sanei people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship various Hindu gods at the family, community, and regional level. They look to a particular guru, or guide for their spiritual direction.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sanei people are looking to various spiritual entities that will only get in the way of their need for the abundant life that only Jesus Christ can offer. They need to become devotees of Jesus Christ, and Him only.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Sanei culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Sanei family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple-making movement among the Sanei people.
Pray that soon the Sanei people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Sanei in India.


References

People of India, Odisha, vol. XVI, pp. 1327-31, K.S. Singh


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Sanei
People Name in Country Sanei
Alternate Names सानेई
Population this Country 1,300
Population all Countries 1,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18013
ROP3 Code 113507
ROP25 Code 307209
ROP25 Name Sanei
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)
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 1
  Odisha 1,300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Odia (1,300 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Odia (1,300 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Odia

Primary Language:  Odia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1809-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1815-2021)
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 Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Odia 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
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Training Zume Project
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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