The name Halwai comes from the Hindi word "Halwa" which refers to sweets. The Halwai are a caste of sweet makers and confectioners. The Mairas are a subgroup of the Hawais.
The Halwai live mainly in India's northern states, but they also live in Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Hindus in India and Nepal respect the Maira Halwais. Because of the importance sweets have in the Hindu religion, they have a special position in festivals, childbirths and marriages.
Halwai owned sweet shops grace towns and bazaars throughout north India and Nepal. Some Halwai people are involved government, private work, engineering, medical, and agriculture. Most Maira Halwai people are comfortable financially, and some are wealthy, particularly in the cities and towns.
The Maira Halwai do not marry outside of their respective groups. They have one spouse. They educate both boys and girls, which is unusual in India and Nepal. After the father dies, the oldest son becomes the family head, and property is evenly divided between the sons. Younger men often move away to begin businesses.
The Halwai are mainly Hindu and worship all the main Hindu gods such as Shiva, Rama, Krishna, and Ganesh. A Brahmin priest does birth, marriage, and death ceremonies for them. They go on Hindu pilgrimages. The Halwai celebrate all the main Hindu festivals such as Holi and Diwali, many of which involve giving and eating sweets—which is very good for business!
It is way too easy for the Maira Halwais to be satisfied with what they have, without finding out that only Jesus offers life to the full.
* Scripture Prayers for the Halwai Maira in Nepal.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to give the Maira Halwai people teachable and understanding hearts.
Pray that a strong movement of the Holy Spirit will bring entire Maira Halwai families into a rich experience of God's blessing.
Pray for Maira Halwai families to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to seek forgiveness, and to understand the adequacy of Christ's work on the cross.
Pray for teams of believers to do sustained, focused prayer for the Lord to open the hearts of Maira Halwai family leaders to experience God's blessing through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21140/NP
http://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2015/mar/24/tangail-sweet-makers-face-bitter-experience
http://narijibon.blogspot.com/2007/10/porabari-chom-chom-famous-and-legendary.html
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Halwai Maira |
People Name in Country | Halwai Maira |
Natural Name | Maira Halwai |
Population this Country | 1,800 |
Population all Countries | 159,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Kuri; Madak; Mayara; Modak; Modhunapit; हलवाई मैरा |
People ID | 21140 |
ROP3 Code | 117962 |
Country | Nepal | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 48 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 2 | |||
Largest States |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 48 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 2 |
Janakpur 900 | |
Sagarmatha 900 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Maithili (1,800 speakers) |
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Maithili (1,800 speakers) |
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Maithili |
Primary Language: Maithili
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1986-2010) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio |
Film / Video | God's Story video |
Film / Video | Good News |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Maithili |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children |
General | Biblical answers to your questions |
General | Gospel resources links |
General | Gospel website in this language |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Maithili |
Text / Printed Matter | Children and youth resources |
Text / Printed Matter | Jesus Messiah comic book |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Maithili |
Text / Printed Matter | The Ancient Path |
Text / Printed Matter | Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies |
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 Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |