Tanti (Hindu traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 21 (10 largest shown)  Show all

Subgroup Name Population
Ashwini 117,000
Balorami 117,000
Madhukari 117,000
Purandari 117,000
Kanaujia 56,000
Maghaiya 56,000
Tirhutia 56,000
Kandu 43,000
Gala 42,000
Matia 42,000

Introduction / History

The Tanti are said to have originated as weavers and providers of cloth since the days of ancient Bengal. They were known for great skill in weaving and the ability to produce both fine linens as well as more common everyday fabrics. Not too long ago, virtually every Tanti home would have had a loom. The Tanti people are found across the northeastern portion of India. The greatest concentration is believed to be in the state of Bihar. There are also some in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, as well as Bangladesh. They tend to live in villages outside of major metropolitan areas. They are slightly less concentrated than some groups because their designation started with their occupation rather than a particular tribe or group. The Tanti tend to be mixed with other lower caste groups that are also spread throughout the region. This makes it difficult to identify any one area as specifically Tanti. There are, however, villages that have been found to be primarily Tanti scattered throughout the areas mentioned.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today, much of their trade has been taken over by factory production and imported goods. Many are now doing subsistence level work either of weaving or other manual labor within villages. They often do not have clean water or a steady food supply. In relation to the rest of India they are seen as being part of the backward castes or the scheduled classes. Regardless of which is exactly right, they are definitely considered among the lowest status communities. A few Tanti have moved into cities and achieved an education and greater roles in society. This is still, however, limited to a small percentage of the overall people group.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In terms of beliefs, the majority of Tantis are Hindu. Many are born into Hinduism and like others in India believe that to be who they are as a people means to be Hindu. There is also a sizable portion who are Muslim, and this number continues to grow. One difficulty with this group, as with others in India, is to separate the cultural identity from the religious beliefs. They need to understand that they can be Indian and Tanti but still follow Christ.


What Are Their Needs?

They have a need for clean water and help with sanitation issues. Since so much of this group is found in rural India, they do not have ready access to modern medical facilities. Some groups are trying to help this situation by providing funds for water wells. Most of all, the Tanti need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for a desire among the Tantri to investigate the claims of Jesus Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Tanti people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Tanti people to share with them the gospel.


Scripture Prayers for the Tanti (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2012-10-20
Global Prayer Digest: 2020-02-20
People Name General Tanti (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tanti (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAHN-tee
Alternate Names Asan; Bansi; Bansi-Tanti; Chaupal; Choupal; Cuttack Tanti; Ganesh; Hansi; Hansi Tanti; Hansia; Kalahari; Kondria; Pan; Pan Tanti; Saibasia; Sambalpuri; Sambalpuria; Sawasi; Sowasi; Swati; Tanti; Tantripal; Tantubai; Tantubaya; Tantuwal; Tatma; Tatoya; Tattama; Tattawa; Tatwa; Tonti; Totla; तंती (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 5,805,000
Population all Countries 6,041,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 116
People ID 18217
ROP3 Code 113743
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Hindu - other
People Group Tanti (Hindu traditions)
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 21 (only 15 largest shown)
  Ashwini 117,000
  Balorami 117,000
  Madhukari 117,000
  Purandari 117,000
  Kanaujia 56,000
  Maghaiya 56,000
  Tirhutia 56,000
  Kandu 43,000
  Gala 42,000
  Matia 42,000
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 31
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Bihar
2,254,000
West Bengal
2,018,000
Odisha
628,000
Jharkhand
433,000
Assam
202,000
Tripura
127,000
Uttar Pradesh
9,600
Andaman and Nicobar
7,800
Arunachal Pradesh
5,900
Delhi
5,600
Meghalaya
5,100
Chhattisgarh
5,000
Nagaland
3,200
Manipur
2,900
Maharashtra
2,600
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 31  (only 20 largest shown)
  Bihar 2,254,000
  West Bengal 2,018,000
  Odisha 628,000
  Jharkhand 433,000
  Assam 202,000
  Tripura 127,000
  Uttar Pradesh 9,600
  Andaman and Nicobar 7,800
  Arunachal Pradesh 5,900
  Delhi 5,600
  Meghalaya 5,100
  Chhattisgarh 5,000
  Nagaland 3,200
  Manipur 2,900
  Maharashtra 2,600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.92 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.07 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (1,961,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
1,558,000
Odia
533,000
Maithili
379,000
Bhojpuri
199,000
Assamese
105,000
Magahi
47,000
Angika
40,000
Panchpargania
17,000
Kok Borok
5,600
Sadri
2,000
Mundari
1,900
Santhali
1,700
Kurux
1,700
Andaman Hindi Creole
600
Kui
500
Primary Language Bengali (1,961,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 1,558,000
  Odia 533,000
  Maithili 379,000
  Bhojpuri 199,000
  Assamese 105,000
  Magahi 47,000
  Angika 40,000
  Panchpargania 17,000
  Kok Borok 5,600
  Sadri 2,000
  Mundari 1,900
  Santhali 1,700
  Kurux 1,700
  Andaman Hindi Creole 600
  Kui 500
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
Bible-NT Audio 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 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 Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
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 World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.