Mahishya in Sri Lanka


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

Introduction / History

The Mahishya or Sadgop people are also known as Chasa or Chasi. The name Sadgop is derived from the two Sanskrit words: 'Sad' means good and 'Gop' means milkman. Hindus believe them to be the descendants of lord Krishna. In the Varna system, they are known as Vaisyas and as the members of Nabashakha group.


Where Are they Located?

As a people, they are found in several Indian states such as West Bengal, Odisha, and surrounding areas, speaking Bengali, Hindi, Oriya, or English as second languages. There are also a large number in Bangladesh. A much smaller number live in Bhutan and Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Sadgop are a land-owning community. Agriculture is their traditional and primary occupation. Rice and wheat are their staple foods. They drink alcohol and chew tobacco. Their mother tongue is Bengali.

Their marriages are negotiated and monogamy (one man and one woman) is common among them. Married women have a significant role to play in the ritual wedding performances. They are expert in Alpana or floor painting during pujas, a Hindu time of worship and devotion.


They are Hindu, so they depend on Brahmin priests and astrologers as their sacred specialists on special occasions.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Women worship the Hindu goddess Lakshmi daily. They propitiate Hari and Lakshmi as their family deities. Their village deities are Dharmaraj, Manasa and Shiva among others. Gaya and Vrindaban are their pilgrim centers. Durgapuja, Kalipuja and Dharmarajer are their major festivals.


What Are Their Needs?

The Mahishya people need the chance to respond to the Savior who came to give them abundant and eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Mahishya people in Sri Lanka for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Mahishya people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Mahishya people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.


Scripture Prayers for the Mahishya in Sri Lanka.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17411/CE
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17411/IN
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Mahishya-People/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Mahishya-People-of-West-Bengal/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/mahishya-people-in-odisha/
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Sadgop
https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Sadgop


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Mahishya
People Name in Country Mahishya
Pronunciation mah-hee-shee-AH
Alternate Names Chasa; Chasi; Chasidas; Halidas; Haluadas; Haludas; Kaibarta; Kaibartta; Kurmangiya; Mahisayadas; Mahisya; Matsyadas; Pilwan Mahaout; Sadgop; महिष्या
Population this Country 600
Population all Countries 12,614,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17411
ROP3 Code 112811
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Eastern
300
Central
200
Sabaragamuwa
30
Uva
30
Western
30
Northern
20
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 6
  Eastern 300
  Central 200
  Sabaragamuwa 30
  Uva 30
  Western 30
  Northern 20
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 Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (600 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bengali (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)
Bible-NT Audio 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, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
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 YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.