Mahli in Bangladesh


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Nagpuriya 5,600
Rajmahle 5,600
Sikroya 5,600

Introduction / History

The Mahali of Bangladesh are related to a much larger group called Santal, both groups being of the proto-Australoid race and speaking related languages.


Where Are they Located?

The Mahali, however, live in villages which are separate from Santali villages as well as separate from Bengali villages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Also, nearly all Mahalis are basket weavers by trade, another feature which distinguishes them from Santals. This basket
trade is a family affair as Mahali children learn to weave bamboo into baskets of various shapes and sizes at a fairly young age.
Because of their basket trade, most Mahali villages are located along bus routes and are very near to markets where they sell their baskets.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mahali of Bangladesh are nearly 100% Christian. Furthermore, they are nearly all Catholic, and there are Catholic mission schools near several Mahali villages. Thus, the younger generation of Mahali tend to have a basic education, though attendance at school is an issue. Few go on for higher education. One of their needs, then, could be for education beyond primary school. They could also benefit from job skills training as Bengalis are increasingly getting involved in the bamboo weaving business and therefore making it more difficult for Mahalis to make a living weaving baskets. Another need is training for church lay leaders. While the Mahali are primarily Christian, literacy is not widespread and many are unable to read the Bible and are therefore dependent on Christian lay leaders for gaining an understanding of the Bible.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Mahli in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Mahli
People Name in Country Mahli
Alternate Names Mahali; Maheli; Mahili; Mahle; Maliare; Malyar; Mhali; Nai; Navi; Nhavi; महली
Population this Country 43,000
Population all Countries 525,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13218
ROP3 Code 106041
ROP25 Code 304930
ROP25 Name Mahli (ST)
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Sylhet
19,000
Rangpur
12,000
Chittagong
9,100
Rajshahi
1,600
Khulna
1,100
Dhaka
200
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 6
  Sylhet 19,000
  Rangpur 12,000
  Chittagong 9,100
  Rajshahi 1,600
  Khulna 1,100
  Dhaka 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
1.43 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
96.69 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
1.88 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Mahali (28,000 speakers)
Language Code mjx   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Bengali
9,400
Sylheti
5,100
Assamese
400
Kok Borok
100
Primary Language Mahali (28,000 speakers)
Language Code mjx   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Bengali 9,400
  Sylheti 5,100
  Assamese 400
  Kok Borok 100
People Groups Speaking Mahali

Primary Language:  Mahali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2020)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) 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
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Gerald Roberts 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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