Dangi in India

The Dangi 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 Dangs Bhil live in the rocky, hilly forests of western central India. They are primarily located in the Dangs district of Gujarat State. Dangi, their native language, is the language of trade in this region. Dangi is a sub-group of Khandesi, which belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family.

The Western Chalukya were the first people to establish political control throughout the region. Later, the Rashtrakuta gained control and brought the Dangs under submission to local chiefs, who were mostly Bhil. The forest wealth exploited by the Dangs enticed the Bhil, as well as the British, causing constant conflicts between the groups. Eventually, the Dangs were forced into slavery.

Later, the people who lived on the plains joined forces with the invading tribes. The Dangs, however, granted shelter to those who were ousted from their homes. For years the Dangs remained isolated, living in poor physical conditions. However, in 1947, plans were initiated to improve their circumstances.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Dangs were originally very poor, having few material possessions and survived by gathering food from the forests. They had no time for intellectual pursuits, but sought only to survive. They lived a hard, monotonous life in the mountainous forests, causing them to become individualistic and somewhat introverted. Nevertheless, their love of freedom has made them a people of sturdy character.

Today, the Dangs Bhil continue to live in extreme poverty, and their social lives are built around the search for food. They have always lived close to nature, depending on it for survival. Animals are respected and treated as equals. For this reason, they are often called the "children of nature." The Dangs district contains many protected forests that the Dangs are allowed to use for cultivation and residence. They live in one-room bamboo huts made with thatched roofps.

The family is the basic unit of social and religious life among the Dangs. Their society is patrilineal, meaning that the line of descent is through the males. Young newlyweds typically live near or with the husband's family. Social and religious order is maintained by an institution known as the panch.

Due to the warm, moist climate of the Dangs district, the people wear very little clothing. The women like to wear grass ornaments.

Despite their poverty, the Dangs enjoy singing and dancing. However, their animated tribal dances are no longer as significant as they once were. The villagers are skilled in creating objects out of stone, wood, and clay. Hindu artisans often help them with such crafts. Tattooing has also become an art among the Dangs.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Dangs practice ethnic religions, and all of them are involved in ancestor worship (praying to deceased ancestors). Their lives revolve around rites, rituals and folk beliefs. Many are animists, believing that all objects have spirits. Trees, animals, demons, serpents, and spirits are worshipped through magical rituals. Wagh-Dev, the tiger god, is their sacred animal god and their emblem of worship.

The Dangs believe in magic, witchcraft, and sorcery, along with their many tribal gods and Hindu deities. They believe that the supernatural world contains both good and evil. Their constant fear of the spirits keeps them revolving around a circle of prayers, rituals, offerings, and sacrifices. The Bhagat (priest and medicine man) is thought to be the ultimate "good man." He is believed to be a spiritual man who communicates with the gods. He is considered a friend, a philosopher, a guide, and a healer.


What Are Their Needs?

More missionaries and humanitarian aid workers are needed to work among the Dangs.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray the Dangs Bhil be lifted out of poverty.
Pray that the Lord will send forth laborers to live among the Dangs tribes.
Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies focusing on the Dangs Bhil.
Ask God to give the Dangs believers boldness to share the Gospel with their own people.


Scripture Prayers for the Dangi in India.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Dangi
People Name in Country Dangi
Pronunciation DAHN-gee
Alternate Names Bagalu; Batalian; Bhut; Dangri; Dharne; Harbansia; Hir; Jalaria; Kaushal; Manadia; Manem; Marbansia; Masaun; Mehton; Mule; Mulepoto; Nagia; Parmar; Patel; Sangutva-Sial; Thunalia; डांगी
Population this Country 842,000
Population all Countries 842,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 17
People ID 16671
ROP3 Code 111886
ROP25 Code 301889
ROP25 Name Dagi
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 8
Largest States
Madhya Pradesh
471,000
Rajasthan
319,000
Jharkhand
34,000
Uttar Pradesh
9,800
West Bengal
3,200
Maharashtra
2,400
Odisha
2,100
Chandigarh
50
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 8
  Madhya Pradesh 471,000
  Rajasthan 319,000
  Jharkhand 34,000
  Uttar Pradesh 9,800
  West Bengal 3,200
  Maharashtra 2,400
  Odisha 2,100
  Chandigarh 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.91 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.03 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (508,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Mewari
86,000
Marwari
40,000
Malvi
25,000
Dhundari
21,000
Bagri
7,100
Bundeli
6,200
Odia
4,500
Kudmali
3,100
Bengali
2,800
Haroti
1,400
Punjabi, Eastern
1,100
Marathi
1,000
Nimadi
200
Bagheli
200
Primary Language Hindi (508,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Mewari 86,000
  Marwari 40,000
  Malvi 25,000
  Dhundari 21,000
  Bagri 7,100
  Bundeli 6,200
  Odia 4,500
  Kudmali 3,100
  Bengali 2,800
  Haroti 1,400
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,100
  Marathi 1,000
  Nimadi 200
  Bagheli 200
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)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
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 Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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 The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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
Photo Source Akingdangi - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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