Rana in India

The Rana have only been reported 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

The Tharu are a tribal people who live in Nepal and India. They live in the foothills and forests of the highest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas. The Tharu see themselves as people of the forest. They gather food and materials from the forests where they live. They hunt animals and fish in the lakes and rivers.

The Indian government has recognized the Tharu as a Scheduled Tribe, meaning they are eligible for public jobs and special university admission. The primary language of the Tharu is Tharu Rana. A New Testament became available in this language in 2017.


Where Are they Located?

The large majority of this tribal people live in Nepal. A smaller group lives in the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tharu were a traditional hunter/gatherer people. They are increasingly moving to an agricultural way of life. The Indian government has outlawed the killing of many animal species that the Tharu are accustomed to hunting. The Tharu plant and harvest rice, maize, lentils and vegetables to supplement the wild fruits, honey and roots they gather from the forest. The Tharu raise chickens for meat and eggs and goats for their meat, milk and hides.

Many of the Tharu villages have an elected leader called a Badghar, a chief elder, to settle legal issues and make important decisions. Many of the Tharu live in long houses with large extended families. Families arrange marriages. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. The Tharu children have only recently started to attend schools. Many Tharu adults are unable to read and to write.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tharu Rana people practice Hinduism, heavily influenced by animism. At this popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods whom they believe will give them favor and protection. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods. These Hindus believe that in a long run, by performing rituals and good works, they have the chance to attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Tharu also believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. These spirits must be appeases by prayers and offerings or they can bring disaster upon the community.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tharu need to see people following Christ in practical ways. Solar panels could bring them electricity for appliances and cell phones. Agricultural experts can teach the Tharu better ways to farm. Both adults and children need to learn to read and write. They need access to modern medicine. Most of all, the Tharu need to hear and respond to the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and get them right with the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Tharu Rana people.
Pray for the Rana people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Tharu people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Tharu Rana disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Tharu communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Rana in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tharu_people


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Rana
People Name in Country Rana
Alternate Names राणा
Population this Country 1,500
Population all Countries 1,500
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17941
ROP3 Code 113429
ROP25 Code 306930
ROP25 Name Rana
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 3
Largest States
Jharkhand
1,200
Gujarat
200
West Bengal
70
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 3
  Jharkhand 1,200
  Gujarat 200
  West Bengal 70
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (1,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Gujarati
200
Bengali
50
Primary Language Hindi (1,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Gujarati 200
  Bengali 50
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
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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