Mal (Hindu traditions) 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 Mal are a community known as a Scheduled Tribe, which gives them low status among Hindus. Their name comes from the Sanscrit word for "wrestler." They are divided into about five sub-castes, and many clans. Though there are small communities of them in Bangladesh and Nepal, most live in eastern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most are agricultural laborers with no land of their own, although they are also known for being watchmen or gatekeepers. Some sell wood and work as laborers in road construction and forests. The Mal marry only within their own people group. The marriage symbols for women are vermilion and iron bangles.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Every Mal is a Hindu, and this people group celebrates its own festivals. Their form of Hinduism has become tied to the Mal identity. Hinduism is the ancient religion throughout South Asia. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of India and Nepal, 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. Other Hindus are philosophical.


What Are Their Needs?

An ample supply of Christian resources has been available to them, but the Mal have a low literacy level, so the gospel must be presented orally. Audio and film presentations are available. There is a need for piercing intercessory prayer to break through the spiritual barriers that keep the Mal people from the blessings of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for the physical needs of the Mal people in Bangladesh as a testimony of his power and love. Pray the Lord will send workers to tell them about Jesus. Pray he will prepare them for this, and that they will be given understanding.


Scripture Prayers for the Mal (Hindu traditions) in Bangladesh.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mal (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Mal (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation mahl
Alternate Names Malia; Malla; माल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 23,000
Population all Countries 2,110,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17424
ROP3 Code 112825
ROP25 Code 304996
ROP25 Name Mal (India)
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
Chittagong
7,200
Rangpur
5,500
Dhaka
4,800
Rajshahi
2,400
Khulna
2,400
Barisal
500
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
  Chittagong 7,200
  Rangpur 5,500
  Dhaka 4,800
  Rajshahi 2,400
  Khulna 2,400
  Barisal 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 Bengali (22,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Chittagonian
200
Kok Borok
100
Sylheti
100
Primary Language Bengali (22,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Chittagonian 200
  Kok Borok 100
  Sylheti 100
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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