The Halwai are a caste of sweet makers and confectioners. The Mairas are a subgroup of the Hawais. The name Halwai comes from the Hindi word "Halwa" which is a sweet.
The Halwai live mainly in India's northern states, but they also live further east in Bangladesh, a Muslim country.
The Halwais are respected in India and Bangladesh among the Hindus. Because of the importance sweets have in the Hindu religion, they have a special position in festivals, childbirths and marriages.
Halwai owned sweet shops grace towns and bazaars throughout north India and Bangladesh. Some Halwai people are involved government, private work, engineering, medical, and agriculture. Most Maira Halwai people are comfortable financially, and some are wealthy, particularly in the cities and towns.
The Maira Halwai do not marry outside of their respective groups. They have one spouse. They educate both boys and girls, which is unusual in India and Bangladesh. After the father dies, the oldest son becomes the family head, and property is evenly divided between the sons. Younger men often move away to begin businesses.
The Halwai are mainly Hindu and worship all the main Hindu gods such as Shiva, Rama, Krishna, and Ganesh. A Brahmin priest does birth, marriage, and death ceremonies for them. They go on Hindu pilgrimages. The Halwai celebrate all the main Hindu festivals such as Holi and Diwali, many of which involve giving and eating sweets—which is very good for business!
Like candy, Hinduism offers what seems like a sweet way to satisfy hunger without including any substance. It is way too easy for the Maira Halwais to be satisfied with what they have, without finding out that only Jesus offers life to the full.
Pray for the Maira Halwai people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for his kingdom to come and his will to be done among the Maira Halwai people.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Maira Halwai communities.
Scripture Prayers for the Halwai Maira in India.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21140/BG
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16905/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21140/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21140/NP
http://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/mar/24/tangail-sweet-makers-face-bitter-experience
http://narijibon.blogspot.com/2007/10/porabari-chom-chom-famous-and-legendary.html
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Halwai Maira |
People Name in Country | Halwai Maira |
Natural Name | Maira Halwai |
Alternate Names | Kuri; Madak; Mayara; Modak; Modhunapit; हलवाई मैरा |
Population this Country | 149,000 |
Population all Countries | 163,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
People ID | 21140 |
ROP3 Code | 117962 |
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 | 6 | ||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 6 |
West Bengal 57,000 | |
Jharkhand 48,000 | |
Bihar 42,000 | |
Tripura 500 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 200 | |
Meghalaya 50 | |
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 (60,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 6 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (60,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 6 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bengali 53,000 | |
Maithili 8,100 | |
Bhojpuri 2,200 | |
Magahi 1,200 | |
Angika 500 | |
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 (1835-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
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. |