The Mallah are a traditional boatmen caste. The word mallaah is said to come from an Arabic word which means navigation on the sea or in the air. They are related to the Kewat community, who form the bulk of the boatmen class of north India. In Pakistan, many have seen their traditional areas of habitation washed away by the sea. An important subsidiary occupation is animal husbandry, with the Mallaah raising cattle. The Mallaah community consists of a number of clans, referred to as nukh, the largest Mallaah nukh being the Dablo.
Most Mallah individuals live in India, but there are also sizable communities in Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Mallah people are usually poor and often illiterate. They are involved in boating and some fishing and sometimes in farming. They are strict about marrying within their own caste. The women are not often seen in public, although at times in Hindu pilgrimage areas such as Allahabad or Benares, you will see children and women of this caste selling flowers and incense for river worship purposes.
Muslims like the Mallahs believe that Allah is the all-powerful God of creation. He is the center of their dedication, though most, sadly, also put their trust in the power of charms and amulets. Islam is based on the teachings of Mohammed, who founded Islam in the seventh century in what is now Saudi Arabia. They believe that a good Muslim will pray facing Mecca five times a day, give alms to the poor, fast during the month of Ramadan, and go on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
They have lacks in literacy, education, health, family planning, and economic advancement. All Mallah people need the chance to have a relationship with Jesus Christ and to become part of his holy family.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Mallah families and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to raise up workers who will be led to nurture disciple making movement within Mallah communities througout South Asia.
Pray that soon Mallah people will have joy and faith that will be contagious; giving their neighbors a desire to follow Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Mallah (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17432/NP
https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/mallah/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallaah
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Mallah (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Mallah (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation | mah-LAH |
Alternate Names | Machhua; Muriari; Muriyari; मल्लाह (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 456,000 |
Population all Countries | 526,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 9 |
People ID | 17624 |
ROP3 Code | 113059 |
ROP25 Code | 305056 |
ROP25 Name | Mallah |
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 on file | 3 | |||
Largest States |
|
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 | 3 |
Punjab 402,000 | |
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 47,000 | |
Sindh 6,400 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Pakistan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Saraiki (317,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | skr Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 10 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Saraiki (317,000 speakers) |
Language Code | skr Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 10 |
Secondary Languages | |
Punjabi, Western 50,000 | |
Urdu 27,000 | |
Marwari 27,000 | |
Hindko, Northern 8,900 | |
Hindko, Southern 7,600 | |
Sindhi 7,300 | |
Pashto, Northern 4,800 | |
Bagri 4,000 | |
Pashto, Central 700 | |
People Groups | Speaking Saraiki |
Primary Language: Saraiki
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Saraiki | 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 | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Miniafia Oyan: Saraiki | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Saraiki | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Saraiki | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |