The Thengal traditionally were washers of silver but now they work mainly in agriculture.
They live in Assam and speak, read and write in Assamese.
The women are good at weaving. The Thengal have many clans. Their families practice the custom of providing a bride price. They allow for divorce and remarriage. Like most Hindu communities they cremate their dead. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property. They are not vegetarians and eat rice as a staple food.
There is a village council to look after them. Government development programs have benefited them. Bihu is the most important festival for them.
They practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
The Thanga Meitei people need a John 10:10 blessing: The abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.
Pray that Indian Christians will lead Thengal families to worship the King of kings.
Pray that the council leaders come to salvation and lead others to Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to use dreams and visions along with the JESUS Film to draw Thengal people to the Lord.
Scripture Prayers for the Meitei Thanga in India.
Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Meitei Thanga |
People Name in Country | Meitei Thanga |
Natural Name | Thanga Meitei |
Population this Country | 140,000 |
Population all Countries | 140,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
Alternate Names | मएइतेई तांगा |
People ID | 21203 |
ROP3 Code | 118025 |
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 | 2 | |||
Largest States |
|
|||
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 | 2 |
Manipur 125,000 | |
Assam 14,000 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.95 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
86.23 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
12.83 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Meitei (118,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | mni Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Meitei (118,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mni Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Assamese 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Meitei |
Primary Language: Meitei
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1820-1995) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1827-2023) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1984-2019) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |