Rangrez (Muslim traditions) 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 Muslim Rangrez are a group of people who live in northern India. Their traditional occupation was that of dyeing and printing clothes. The word Rangrez means one who pours on color or dyes in Persian. The Muslim Rangrez are thought to be converts to Islam from the Hindu Rangrez. Many believe they came from Central Asia. Some Muslim Rangrez migrated to Pakistan or Bangladesh during the 1947 Partition. The Rangrez are considered a Backward Caste and have become eligible for special places in public employment and university admission.

Many Rangrez are leaving their original career of dyeing and printing fabric. Cheap, chemical dyes have replaced the natural dyes used by the Rangrez, which tend to fade after washing. Rich colors play an important part in Indian rituals like weddings. Many Rangrez have begun to engage in the business of selling fabric and clothing and holidays. Other Rangrez have become involved in trade and other small businesses. Most Rangrez do not own land.

The vast majority of the Muslim Rangrez speaks Urdu as their primary language. Some also speak other local Indian languages.


Where Are they Located?

Most Rangrez live in the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Smaller groups live in other parts of central and north India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rangrez are endogamous. They tend to marry within their caste. Some marry their own cousins while others will not marry anyone in their gotra or clan. Families arrange the marriages within the consent of the young people. Muslim priests officiate at significant rituals like birth, weddings and funerals. Sons inherit their father's property. The Rangrez bury their dead.

Most Rangrez live in multi-caste, multi-religion villages. They will live by themselves in a part of the village. Many young people are moving to the cities for better economic and educational opportunities.

Caste councils promote the interests of the Rangrez and decide legal disputes within the community.


They have contact only with other Muslims and some Hindus in Bangladesh.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Rangrez people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They attempt to obey the teachings of the Qur 'an and the prophet Muhammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage or Hadj to Mecca once in his or her lifetime.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslim are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Muslim Rangrez need to hear the life-changing gospel of Jesus in a way they can understand. They must see that only Christ can wash away their sins. The Rangrez also need help in learning new job skills necessary to succeed in modern Indian society.


Prayer Points

Pray that a strong movement to Jesus will bring whole Rangrez families and communities into a rich experience of God's blessings.
Pray the members of the caste councils would become Christians and lead their families to Christ.
Pray that Indian Christians would reach out and share the gospel with the Muslim Rangrez.


Scripture Prayers for the Rangrez (Muslim traditions) in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslim_Rangrez
http://lucknowobserver.com/rangrez/


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Rangrez (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Rangrez (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation rahn-gah-RHEZ
Alternate Names Chhipa; Chippa; Chunrigar; Lilgar; Nilgar; Nilgara; Ragarijuz; Ramjani; Rangari; Rangirigi; Rangraz; Rangrej; Rangsaz; Sabbagh; रंग्रेज़ (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 365,000
Population all Countries 454,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
People ID 17972
ROP3 Code 113461
ROP25 Code 306943
ROP25 Name Rangrez
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 15
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
253,000
Madhya Pradesh
71,000
Maharashtra
12,000
Uttarakhand
9,900
Rajasthan
5,500
Gujarat
3,900
Bihar
3,500
Delhi
2,600
Karnataka
1,800
Telangana
800
Chhattisgarh
700
Jharkhand
500
Jammu and Kashmir
400
Odisha
400
Daman and Diu
20
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 15
  Uttar Pradesh 253,000
  Madhya Pradesh 71,000
  Maharashtra 12,000
  Uttarakhand 9,900
  Rajasthan 5,500
  Gujarat 3,900
  Bihar 3,500
  Delhi 2,600
  Karnataka 1,800
  Telangana 800
  Chhattisgarh 700
  Jharkhand 500
  Jammu and Kashmir 400
  Odisha 400
  Daman and Diu 20
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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Urdu (289,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 21
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Bhojpuri
5,700
Marwari
1,700
Awadhi
1,500
Gujarati
1,500
Dhundari
1,200
Punjabi, Eastern
1,100
Garhwali
1,000
Marathi
900
Malvi
900
Bundeli
800
Nimadi
600
Khandesi
600
Kanauji
400
Maithili
400
Odia
300
Primary Language Urdu (289,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 21
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Bhojpuri 5,700
  Marwari 1,700
  Awadhi 1,500
  Gujarati 1,500
  Dhundari 1,200
  Punjabi, Eastern 1,100
  Garhwali 1,000
  Marathi 900
  Malvi 900
  Bundeli 800
  Nimadi 600
  Khandesi 600
  Kanauji 400
  Maithili 400
  Odia 300
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

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Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
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Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  International Mission Board-SBC - Bill V  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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