Matang (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


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

Introduction / History

The Matangi are a small, low class community in southwest India. They are considered beneath the standard four caste Hindu social system and face discrimination by other Hindus. According to Buddhist legend, a Matangi girl was asked by a follower of the Buddha for water. The girl answered that she could not give him water due to the fact that she was from a low class community, outside of the Hindu caste system. The Buddhist man said he wanted water and did not care what caste she was from. The girl left her village and became a Buddhist nun. The primary language of the Matangi in Pakistan is Sindhi. Many resources are available in Sindhi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Matangi do manual labor such as digging holes for construction sites. Some do farm work on land owned by others. Most of Matangi live in extreme poverty. Most cannot read or write. The Matangi are known for having tattoos. They have their own music and drama based on oral tradition.
Families arrange marriages within the Matangi group. Cousin marriages are common with the girls marrying as young a 11 or 12. A man can have multiple wives if he can afford them. Property is inherited by the sons. Village elders settle legal issues and promote Matangi interests


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Matangi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They may get their name from the Hindu goddess, Matangi. She is worshipped as the goddess of music and supernatural power by her devotees. She is one of the many forms of the mother goddess Devi. 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 Matangi people visit Hindu shrines 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 do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.
The main yearly holidays of the Matangi 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. Unfortunately, the Matangi belong to this last group.


What Are Their Needs?

As a low class community, the Matangi people have huge needs. Most of all they need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The Matangi would benefit by teams of teachers and medical workers coming to them. The Matangi need job skills that can help raise their low standard of living.


Prayer Points

Pray that village elders come to Jesus Christ and lead the others of the Matangi to salvation also.
Pray that God has teams of workers go to the Matangi to help with their physical needs.
Pray for an unstoppable disciple making movement to flourish among the Matangi. Pray that the Lord sends Hindu background believers to tell the Matangi about Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Matang (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Matang (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Matang (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Madiga; Mang; Mang Garodi; Mang Garudi; Mangela; Matgar; Minimadig; मातंग (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 1,800
Population all Countries 3,075,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17463
ROP3 Code 112871
ROP25 Code 305263
ROP25 Name Matang
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 1
  Sindh 1,800
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 Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sindhi (1,100 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Dhatki
400
Kacchi
300
Primary Language Sindhi (1,100 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 400
  Kacchi 300
People Groups Speaking Sindhi

Primary Language:  Sindhi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1825-1981)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1890-1992)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1954)
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 Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video 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 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 Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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