Collectively the Rai are known as very courageous, daring, and fearless people. In recent history they have won worldwide respect for their bravery in the Royal Nepalese Army. Joining the army is often a way out of enduring economic hardship. It also brings respect and honor, especially for those of high military rank.
The Rai peoples are most likely to be found in Nepal and Bhutan, but a smaller number live in India and Bangladesh.
Among the Rai, weddings are very festive occasions. Some marriages are facilitated by kongpi, or middlemen, who work out the details of the marriage. Gifts are presented to the families; and if accepted, the family sets a marriage date. Sometimes marriages are facilitated by the "arranged kidnapping" of the girl of one's choice. Many believe that this method brings about good results, though it probably opens the door for abuse of the woman.
At the wedding, guests give gifts to the parents of the bride and groom, as well as to a long line of family members and village elders. They often sacrifice an animal, usually a pig or rooster at this time. There is an abundance of meat and drinks at these weddings. One favorite beverage is made from barley and potatoes. Often the whole night is spent in singing and celebration.
While the majority of Rai are Hindus, there are also a large number of animists who believe that non-human objects have spirits. In addition, they have been heavily influenced by Buddhism. This mixture has created a wide variety of gods and worship practices among them. These customs are most evident during such events as births, marriages, and deaths. The influence of Hinduism has led to many of the dead now being cremated instead of being buried.
The Rai people need ways to earn a living in such a way that they can afford higher education for their children. They also need believers to go to them as Christ-bearers so that they have the chance to experience life to the full (Jn 10:10).
Ask God to call out faithful prayer teams to break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will raise up long-term laborers to live and work among the Rai people in Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India.
Ask the Holy Spirit to complete the work begun in the hearts of the few Rai believers in India through adequate discipleship. Pray that this will lead to an unstoppable Disciple-aking Movement.
Ask the Lord to raise up a triumphant church among the Rai for the glory of His name!
Scripture Prayers for the Rai in India.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17925/NP
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17925/BT
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2012/07/20
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_people
http://www.greathimalayatrails.com/ght-about-nepal/rai-people/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rai-people
https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Rai%20people
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Rai |
People Name in Country | Rai |
Alternate Names | Jimdar; Khambu; Kirat-Rai; Majhi Kirant; Manjh-Kirant; राई |
Population this Country | 148,000 |
Population all Countries | 871,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 3 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 17925 |
ROP3 Code | 113409 |
ROP25 Code | 306897 |
ROP25 Name | Rai |
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 | 25 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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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 | 25 (only 20 largest shown) |
West Bengal 67,000 | |
Assam 52,000 | |
Sikkim 17,000 | |
Meghalaya 3,800 | |
Manipur 2,600 | |
Jharkhand 1,500 | |
Arunachal Pradesh 1,300 | |
Madhya Pradesh 900 | |
Mizoram 700 | |
Bihar 600 | |
Uttarakhand 500 | |
Nagaland 400 | |
Uttar Pradesh 300 | |
Maharashtra 100 | |
Himachal Pradesh 90 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
1.04 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
12.67 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
58.22 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
27.98 %
|
Unknown |
0.09 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Nepali (85,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 6 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Nepali (85,000 speakers) |
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 6 |
Secondary Languages | |
Marathi 19,000 | |
Bengali 18,000 | |
Assamese 2,300 | |
Hindi 1,700 | |
Bantawa 800 | |
People Groups | Speaking Nepali |
Primary Language: Nepali
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1850-1961) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1821-2010) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1914-2012) |
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 | Rai504089 - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
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. |