Tai in India
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Tai |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 22,000 |
| World Population: | 22,000 |
| Primary Language: | Gujarati |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Online Audio NT: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Tai is a Persian term for a basket weaver. Basket weaving was the traditional job for this community.
They probably came from Pakistan’s Sindh province, and their ancestral home is the city of Thatta. Thatta was once the capital city of Sindh during the Middle Ages. Sultan Ahmad Shad invited them to settle in Ahmadabad, the city he founded in Gujarat.
The Tai have three subgroups, the Vankar, the Ahmadabadi Tai and the Mahdevi Tai. The Tai have two primary surnames: Paggi and Kattar.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Traditionally this landless community were weavers, but today they have a number of occupations. Commonly they are traders.
Because of they are broken into two separate Muslim sects, they have different cultural and communal organizations.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Two of the Tai subgroups are Sunni Muslims, but one of them is part of the quasi-Muslim Medhawi sect. They follow Syed Mohamed Jaunpur, whom they consider to be the Mahdi. The Madhi is a messiah-like leader among Shia Muslims. The Medhawi live near ascetic lives, renouncing materialism and living simple lives. They usually do this after they retire and give their businesses to their heirs.
What Are Their Needs?
The Tai people need a John 10:10 blessing: The abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Tai culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among their family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Tai people.
Pray that soon the Tai people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.
Pray for spiritual discernment and a hunger for true spirituality.