Mali (Sikh traditions) in India

The Mali (Sikh traditions) 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 Mali are traditionally known as gardeners and growers of flowers. The word Mali is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mala' (meaning garland). Many are called 'phool' Mali, referring to their occupation of growing flowers. Flowers play a large part in Hindu and Sikh weddings.

The main language of the Sikh Mail is Eastern Punjabi. Many also speak Hindi and English.


Where Are they Located?

The Sikh Mali live in the northern Indian states of Punjab and Haryana.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mali are industrious people. The Mali are differentiated according to their occupations. For example, those pursuing gardening are known as Baghban, those who cut and sell grass are called Sasia Mali and those growing flowers are Phool Mali. Many Mali live in towns and keep vegetable or flower gardens in the outskirts.

The Mali are also famous for the preparation of 'Maur' or marriage crown both for the bride and the bridegroom at marriages. Marriage is forbidden between members of the same clan. Marriage to one spouse is the norm. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father. The Sikh Mali encourage both their sons and daughters to obtain a secondary education. Most Mali do not eat beef and pork. Their main foods are rice, vegetables, dairy products, and lentils.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most are part of other religious communities, a small number of Mali people are Sikhs. Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They venerate their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns. Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sikh Mali need to understand that their good works and rituals will not get them right with the one, true God. They need to see the gospel lived out before them in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray for workers to go to the Sikh Mali people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for networks of believing families and fellowships that will throw the doors open for others to follow Jesus.
Pray for the Lord to bless the families among the Mali people with His presence and mercy.
Pray for believers among this people group to disciple others who will disciple still others.


Scripture Prayers for the Mali (Sikh traditions) in India.


References

https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/mali/
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18787/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mali_caste


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Mali (Sikh traditions)
People Name in Country Mali (Sikh traditions)
Pronunciation MAH-lee
Alternate Names Kurmi; माली (सिख ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 5,400
Population all Countries 5,400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18788
ROP3 Code 114475
ROP25 Code 305045
ROP25 Name Mali/Malakkar
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
Punjab
3,200
Haryana
2,100
Chandigarh
50
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
  Punjab 3,200
  Haryana 2,100
  Chandigarh 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Other / Small
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
100.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (3,900 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Haryanvi
300
Hindi
300
Bagri
20
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (3,900 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Haryanvi 300
  Hindi 300
  Bagri 20
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
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, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
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 Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download Bible from Google Play Store Operation Agape
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
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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