The Hindu Nai people are located throughout the nation of India. Their traditional occupation is that of cutting hair and nails. The Nai are known by dozens of other names depending on what part of India they live in. The main language of the Nai is Hindi but they also speak the regional languages of where they reside. Unfortunately, many of the Hindu Nai are illiterate or functionally illiterate. The gospel will have to be shared with them in oral and visual forms. Many resources are available in Hindi including the complete Bible, radio programs and the Jesus Film.
The Nai are associated with the barber profession. The Nai groom their clients by as cutting hair and nails. They also provide minor medical services like extracting teeth and setting sprains right. The Nai often perform duties in connection with marriage, matchmaking and wedding celebrations. Nai women, called 'Naun', are hairdressers, henna artists and midwives. The Nai tend to be quiet people, which is important to their trade. A large-scale occupational change is taking place with many Nai taking up other trades and professions in modern India. The literacy rate among the Nai is low. Many children leave school after a few years to help their parents earn a living. The traditional extended family is still common. Sons inherit equal shares in the family property and the eldest succeeds as head of the family. Nai women are secondary in status to males. A Nai caste council settle legal issues and promotes their interests with outsiders.
The Nai practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon and their brand of Hinduism is influenced by folk religion. 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 Nai 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 Nai 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 Nai give special prominence to their regional deities. The Nai believe in evil spirits who, along with local deities, are believed to cause trouble and diseases. The Nai frequently go to shamans for their spiritual and medical needs. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories - Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and the Shudras. Dalits and tribal peoples are outside of the caste system. The Nai fit into the Shudra or working caste.
The Nai need to learn new job skills and literacy. They need increased access to good schools, particularly for Nai women and girls. They also need access to modern medical facilities. The Nai need to know Jesus and His gospel. They need to be freed from being second-class citizens due to their caste ranking. They need to know that they can repent and become the children of God, members of His kingdom.
* Scripture Prayers for the Nai (Hindu traditions) in India.
Pray that Indian believers would build friendships with the Nai and tell them about the Savior. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Nai people this decade. Ask the Lord to lead the Nai to listen to Christian radio programs in their languages.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-08-22 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2012-08-15 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2019-05-22 |
People Name General | Nai (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Nai (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | nah-EE |
Population this Country | 11,845,000 |
Population all Countries | 12,004,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 237 |
Alternate Names | Aduthon; Ambattan; Amrewal; Arayavati; Aryavathi; Awadhi; Awadhia; Awari; Bammeru; Banbiro; Banvaru; Bhajanthri; Bhandari; Bhandary; Deshabhandari; Dhanwal; Didhia; Ghaijo; Hadapad; Hajam; Hajjam; Hazam; Jadowal; Jallan; Juvwa; Kaikan; Kaila; Kaith; Kalseru Navaliga; Kanaujia; Karagar; Kawa; Kelashi; Kelasi; Kelasi Mhali; Kelasiga; Khadeer; Khalasi; Khalipha; Khawas; Kodiya; Kshaurak; Kshourika; Kuleen; Kuleen Brahman; Kuleen Brahmin; Kuleen-Brahman; Kuleen-Brahmin; Mahale; Mangala; Mangali; Matkos; Matwal; Nabhik; Nadig; Nai; Naia; Naipit; Naiya; Naland; Napit; Napitha; Navaliga; Navid; Naya; Nayanaja Kshatriya; Nayeebrahman; Nayinda; Nhavi; Niaria; Ossatha; Osta; Ovachar; Panwar; Panwari; Pariyaliga; Punwari; Raja; Rajaji; Rajwan; Sanmukh; Savitha; Sen Samaj; Shil; Thakur; Ustadji; Valand; Valand Nadig; Varik; Vavdichaksi; Wadhi; Wadhio; नई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
People ID | 17745 |
ROP3 Code | 113203 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - Nai |
People Group | Nai (Hindu traditions) |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - Nai |
People Group | Nai (Hindu traditions) |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 50 (only 15 largest shown) |
Sribastab 1,021,000 | |
Gole 214,000 | |
Kanaujia 200,000 | |
Nayinda 124,000 | |
Banbheru 106,000 | |
Bhandari 65,000 | |
Umre 39,000 | |
Ahir Khandeshi 28,000 | |
Sainbhagat 27,000 | |
Konkani Shinde 21,000 |
Country | India | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 35 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 35 (only 20 largest shown) |
Uttar Pradesh 2,559,000 | |
Andhra Pradesh 1,056,000 | |
Bihar 1,050,000 | |
West Bengal 1,045,000 | |
Madhya Pradesh 995,000 | |
Rajasthan 891,000 | |
Maharashtra 831,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 590,000 | |
Gujarat 499,000 | |
Telangana 473,000 | |
Jharkhand 341,000 | |
Karnataka 312,000 | |
Haryana 280,000 | |
Chhattisgarh 230,000 | |
Punjab 199,000 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Hindi (4,963,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 67 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (4,963,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 67 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Telugu 1,557,000 | |
Bengali 950,000 | |
Marathi 645,000 | |
Tamil 527,000 | |
Bhojpuri 524,000 | |
Gujarati 453,000 | |
Kannada 283,000 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 225,000 | |
Marwari 178,000 | |
Chhattisgarhi 163,000 | |
Awadhi 157,000 | |
Kanauji 142,000 | |
Dhundari 135,000 | |
Maithili 132,000 | |
Assamese 90,000 | |
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 (1835-2012) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories in Hindi |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | A Beautiful Hope (EngSub) |
Film / Video | Coconuts |
Film / Video | Creation to Christ |
Film / Video | Father's Love Letter |
Film / Video | Following Jesus (India, JF Project) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Hindi |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Rivka (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.07 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.93 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |