Mallah (Hindu traditions) 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

According to the Ramayana, one of the two major ancient Sanskrit epics, there was a boatman named Nishad who was asked by Lord Rama and his wife Sita for a ride across the Ganges River. To Lord Rama's astonishment, the boatman refused. Nishad explained that he feared that the touch of the deity's foot might destroy the boat, and then Nishad would be left without a means of supporting his family. Rama assured Nishad that no ill would befall him, so the humble boatman ferried Rama and Sita across the river. The Mallah live throughout India and in the smaller nations of Bangladesh and Nepal. The primary languages of the Nepalese Mallah are Maithili and Bhojpuri. The New Testament and the JESUS Film are available in Maithili. The Mallah also speak the local languages of where they live. A tiny fraction of the Mallah claim to be believers in Jesus. Many Mallah are unable to read or write so the gospel will have to be presented to them in oral and visual forms.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today most Mallah make their living as either fishermen or farmers. They cultivate land that is owned by others. They sell fish and produce in the markets. Some are day laborers and boatmen who carry people across lakes and rivers. Their women and children sell flowers and incense at Hindu festivals. Marriages are usually arranged by family leaders. The Mallah generally have large families. The Mallah people are monogamous meaning that marriage is between one man and one woman. The divorced and bereaved can marry again. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son taking charge of the home. The dead can be either cremated or buried. They have a caste council that settle their legal disputes and promotes their interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mallah of Nepal practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Mallah 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Mallah people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Mallah would fall into the working caste.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nepalese Mallah have many spiritual and physical needs. They need to learn the basics of reading and writing to improve their position in society. They need to learn new job skills. They need the benefits of modern medicine. Most of all they need to hear and understand the life changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and give them the hope of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Mallah caste councils will give their lives to Jesus Christ and lead their community into a movement to Christ. Pray that God will give them dreams and visions about the one, true God leading them to salvation. Pray for a church planting movement in their community this decade. Pray the Lord provides the means for Nepalese Mallah parents to meet the needs of children.


Scripture Prayers for the Mallah (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Mallah (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Mallah (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation mah-LAH
Alternate Names Gonrhi; Machhua; Machua; Mallar; Mandal; Muriari; Muriyari; Sureha; मल्लाह (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 3,094,000
Population all Countries 3,312,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 62
People ID 17432
ROP3 Code 112835
ROP25 Code 305056
ROP25 Name Mallah
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 12
Largest States
Bihar
1,633,000
Uttar Pradesh
1,363,000
Delhi
92,000
Jharkhand
76,000
West Bengal
51,000
Madhya Pradesh
41,000
Maharashtra
7,800
Chhattisgarh
3,800
Uttarakhand
3,600
Tripura
2,000
Punjab
1,100
Andaman and Nicobar
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 12
  Bihar 1,633,000
  Uttar Pradesh 1,363,000
  Delhi 92,000
  Jharkhand 76,000
  West Bengal 51,000
  Madhya Pradesh 41,000
  Maharashtra 7,800
  Chhattisgarh 3,800
  Uttarakhand 3,600
  Tripura 2,000
  Punjab 1,100
  Andaman and Nicobar 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.01 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.96 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (1,888,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
963,000
Maithili
175,000
Bengali
59,000
Angika
51,000
Awadhi
34,000
Kanauji
32,000
Magahi
28,000
Bundeli
28,000
Chhattisgarhi
4,900
Braj Bhasha
1,900
Punjabi, Eastern
1,900
Garhwali
1,300
Marathi
1,200
Kumaoni
800
Bagheli
700
Primary Language Hindi (1,888,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 963,000
  Maithili 175,000
  Bengali 59,000
  Angika 51,000
  Awadhi 34,000
  Kanauji 32,000
  Magahi 28,000
  Bundeli 28,000
  Chhattisgarhi 4,900
  Braj Bhasha 1,900
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,900
  Garhwali 1,300
  Marathi 1,200
  Kumaoni 800
  Bagheli 700
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 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.



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