Mallah Chain (Muslim traditions) in India

Introduction / History

Mallah are the traditional fishermen and boatmen of India and neighboring countries. The Mallah of India often go by the name of Nishad, which refers to a character from the Hindu myth the Ramayana. Nishad was a boatman in Prayag (Allahabad UP) who ferried Ram, Sita and Lakshman across the river. From this tale, the Nishad consider their occupation as boatmen along the holy Ganga river carrying Hindu devotees as a high calling or holy occupation. Hindus among them take pride in this. Muslim Mallah people might not.

Mallahs are divided by religion, but also by subgroup. One of their subgroups is the Chain Mallah. They can be Hindu or Muslim. The Muslim Chain Mallah community speaks Bengali and lives in West Bengal.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Muslim Chain Mallah people are usually poor and often illiterate. They are involved in boating and some fishing and sometimes in farming. They are strict about marrying within their own caste. The women are not often seen in public.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most Chain Mallah are Hindu, there are many who are Sunni Muslim. Like other South Asian Muslims, the Chain Mallah converted to Islam from Hinduism hundreds of years ago. Probably for that reason, Chain Mallah Muslims have some pre-Islamic beliefs that are not found in their scripture, the Koran.

What Are Their Needs?

The Chain Mallah community needs better educational opportunities and improved health care.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Muslim Mallah families and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to raise up workers who will be led to nurture disciples within Mallah communities throughout South Asia.
Pray that soon Mallah people will have joy and faith that will be contagious; giving their neighbors a desire to follow Christ.

Text Source:   Joshua Project