No longer will your name be Jacob, the man told him, but Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have prevailed. Gen. 32:28, NET. The book of Genesis tells us that Jacob become Israel, the father of God's people, in this way. He struggled with God himself and was tested, but he left the conflict strengthened and ready to fulfill his destiny. Israel, therefore, means "he who strives with God." Thousands of years later, another people would be known as wrestlers – Mal people in Nepal. Mal is a shortened form of a Sanskrit phrase that can mean wrestler or soldier.
Maithili is the primary language of Mal people in Nepal. Most are agricultural laborers with no land of their own, although they are also known for being watchmen or gatekeepers.
Every Mal is a Hindu and this people group celebrates its own festivals. Their form of Hinduism has become tied to the Mal identity. Hinduism is the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of India and Nepal, 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.
An ample supply of Christian resources has been available to them, but the Mal have a low literacy level, so the gospel must be presented orally. Audio and film presentations are available. Piercing intercessory prayer is needed to break through the spiritual barriers that keep the Mal people from the blessings of Jesus Christ.
There are no known believers among the Mal people in Nepal. Pray for growth in both numbers and spiritual maturity. Pray that the Mal, the "wrestlers," will soon have an opportunity to be confronted by the true and living God. Pray that they, like Jacob, will persevere in faith and find their true purpose as children of God. Pray that God will give the Mal dreams and visions leading them to Jesus Christ. Pray that the community leaders among them will come to Jesus Christ and lead the others to salvation. Pray for Mal believers to disciple others who will in turn disciple others.
Scripture Prayers for the Mal (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Mal (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Mal (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | mahl |
Alternate Names | Malia; Malla; माल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 1,400 |
Population all Countries | 2,110,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17424 |
ROP3 Code | 112825 |
ROP25 Code | 304996 |
ROP25 Name | Mal (India) |
Country | Nepal | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||||||
Total States on file | 5 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 5 |
Sagarmatha 600 | |
Janakpur 500 | |
Narayani 200 | |
Lumbini 70 | |
Kosi 70 | |
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 Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Maithili (1,100 speakers) | |||
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Maithili (1,100 speakers) |
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Maithili |
Primary Language: Maithili
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2010) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2024 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |