Dimasa Kachari in Bangladesh


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

Introduction / History

The name "Dimasa" stands for "children of the big river," referring to the Brahmaputra River. They are one of the oldest inhabitants of the northeastern part of India, and one of the many Kachari tribes. Dimasa believe that they are the children of Bangla Raja and the great divine bird Aarikhidima. Among the six ancestral gods, Sibrai is the eldest and the most important and during worship his name is to be uttered first. The traditional village headman is a Khunang, having both executive and judiciary powers. He is assisted by another official called the Dillik, and a third man, the Daulathu. The Dimasa Kachari lives in Bihar and West Bengal, India. A smaller number are further east in Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are farmers who grow many kinds of crops including grains.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Dimasa Kachari people 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?

Lack of sustained, focused prayer inhibits the advance of the Lord's kingdom throughout South Asia. There are powerful spiritual forces that resist the gospel, and these are overcome by prayer. The New Testament is available in the Dimasa language, as well as resources such as recordings and films. Please pray for workers to carry these resources to the people who can help them understand the gospel.


Prayer Points

There are no reported Christians among the Dimasa of Bangladesh, but there are reported Christians within this people group in India. Pray for spiritual maturity for these Christians, and for them to become Christ bearers to the lost in Bangladesh. Please pray the Lord will grant spiritual understanding to all the people groups of Bangladesh. Pray he will reveal Jesus in powerful and convincing ways and will grant people faith to believe.


Scripture Prayers for the Kachari Dimasa in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kachari Dimasa
People Name in Country Kachari Dimasa
Natural Name Dimasa Kachari
Alternate Names Bodo Kacari; Boro; Dimasa; कचारी, दिमासा
Population this Country 13,000
Population all Countries 186,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17130
ROP3 Code 112479
ROP25 Code 303448
ROP25 Name Kachari
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 3
Largest States
Rajshahi
6,300
Chittagong
3,800
Dhaka
2,600
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 3
  Rajshahi 6,300
  Chittagong 3,800
  Dhaka 2,600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.18 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.82 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Dimasa (10,000 speakers)
Language Code dis   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Bengali
2,400
Chittagonian
300
Primary Language Dimasa (10,000 speakers)
Language Code dis   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Bengali 2,400
  Chittagonian 300
People Groups Speaking Dimasa

Primary Language:  Dimasa

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1905-1908)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2005)
Bible-Complete No
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Dimasa Jesus Film Project
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Dimasa YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Dimasa YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Dimasa Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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