Hindi in United States
Photo Source:
Sonam Prajapati - Pixabay
|
Map Source:
Location: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.
|
| People Name: | Hindi |
| Country: | United States |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 1,204,000 |
| World Population: | 2,797,100 |
| Primary Language: | Hindi |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 2.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 1.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
|
Introduction / History
Hindi is the fourth most spoken language in the world after Mandarin Chinese, English and Spanish. If one considers the fact that Urdu and Hindi are mutually intelligible, it is the third. This is the language of India's densely populated northern states. Though Hindi is a key trade language in India, it is less prominent than English.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Almost all Hindi speakers in the US hold high-paying positions and they come from the prestigious castes that are bypassed by the gospel in India. Like other South Asian language groups, they have their own cultural associations in the West, but they tend to blend in with other Hindu communities more than they do in India.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Hindi speakers 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.
What Are Their Needs?
Wealth is an obstacle to the knowledge that one has spiritual needs. Hinduism is one of the few things Hindi speakers can keep as they interface with Americans.
Prayer Points
Pray for Hindi speakers to overcome spiritual barriers and accept Jesus' finished work on the cross as the only payment for sin. Pray that North America would be fertile ground for a movement to Christ among Hindi speakers.