Chak in India


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

Other PDF Profile

Introduction / History

The Chak people are one of the least known Buddhist people groups in the world. There has been very little research done on them. The Ethnologue lists the Chak people, but it does not identify what linguistic family the Chak language belongs to. It is most likely part of the Tibeto-Burman family, related to other small languages in the area such as Dainet and Thet. The Chak are not the same as the large Chakma Buddhist group of Bangladesh, who speak a language from the Indo-European family.

Several small Buddhist ethnic groups live near the temple ruins of Mrauk-U in Rakhine State, Myanmar. Mrauk-U was once the center for one of Myanmar's most powerful kingdoms. Founded by the Rakhine king Minzawmun in 1433, Mrauk-U grew in influence throughout central Myanmar and the Indian subcontinent, becoming a center of wealth and commerce. The kings of the dynasty even hired Japanese samurai as bodyguards to quell the threat of assassination. The splendor of the Mrauk-U dynasty started to fade in the 1780s, but during its 352 years Buddhism made an impact on all people groups in this area—as a cultural way of life as much as a religious one. Small tribes such as the Chak, Dainet and Thet have remained strong Buddhists to this day.


Where Are they Located?

Most of the Buddhist Chak people live either in Myanmar or Bangladesh, but a few live in India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Chak people are agricultural-based and are self-sustained by their own resources from food to residences. Although they are a very small in population size, the Chak livelihood is very colorful and traditional especially in celebrating festivals and observing rituals related to marriage, childbirth, death and funeral. They celebrate many religious and folk festivals throughout the year. Their society is patriarchal; only the sons inherit the family property.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Chaks often worship Hindu gods and goddesses like Luxmi or Waigya, although they are Buddhist. They celebrate many religious and folk festivals throughout the year. The majority Chak people in India practice Buddhism, the major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha which teaches one can gain spiritual knowledge and escape the endless cycles of reincarnation. To most Buddhists, however, these things have far less meaning than their traditional beliefs, which are usually animistic. In animism, evil spirits must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. Buddhism allows people to mix Buddhist teachings with traditional religion. In additional to various of forms of worship, the Chak also has very unique compositions and practices for ceremonial performances of songs seeking divine blessings for maintaining class harmony and welfare for a newborn baby.


What Are Their Needs?

Being a small and close knit ethnic group, their rich traditional culture is permeates into all spheres of life. This uniqueness gives them a separate identity and strong inter-class harmony. It also posts challenges to bring in new ideas into the community.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Chak family and community leaders in India to seek His face.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to see a disciple making movement among the Chak people.
Pray for Chak leaders to embrace the blessings that their community can enjoy by being part of Christ's kingdom.


Scripture Prayers for the Chak in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11291/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11291/BM
http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Chak,_The
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chak_people


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  
Other PDF Profile

People Name General Chak
People Name in Country Chak
Pronunciation CHAHK
Alternate Names Chaak; Chakar; Sak; चक, ठेत
Population this Country 400
Population all Countries 8,900
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11291
ROP3 Code 101968
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 2
Largest States
West Bengal
200
Delhi
200
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 2
  West Bengal 200
  Delhi 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
100.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
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 Bengali (400 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bengali (400 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)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Bible-NT Text 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 Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.