Namassej (Hindu traditions) in Bhutan


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

Introduction / History

For thousands of years in Hindu society, "sudra" or "shudra" was a reference to those of the servant caste. These people have always held the lowest status. Among these communities are the Namassej, or Namasudra people. The vast majority live in West Bengal and other places where Hinduism is dominant, but some live in Bhutan, where Tibetan Buddhism erases caste distinctions.


Where Are they Located?

They are found all over West Bengal, northeast Indian states and to some extent all over India. But very few are found in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and many in Bangladesh. A few are found in Bhutan, one of India's neighbors to the north.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Their cultural life is very much like an average Bengali. They are hard-working, very lively, enthusiastic, and conscious of their own identity. They were also very honest, but after the division of India their economic condition has great deterioration. The number of people with higher education has been low. They are engaged in all kinds of professions, but those living in villages are engaged in agriculture. A very small number of their population is doing government and private jobs.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Namasudras practice folk Hinduism, venerating their ancestors and family gods. They once had a spiritual reformation when one religious leader tried to bring egalitarianism and justice to Hinduism. His son and other descendants took charge of his unfinished work, but it did not go far.

Less than half a percent follow Jesus, despite some promising developments in the early to mid 20th century. These Bengali-speakers do have a full Bible translation in their language. They also have audio versions of the Scriptures, as well as the JESUS Film, tracts, Christian radio programs and more.


What Are Their Needs?

Their basic need is for economic restoration and socio-political rehabilitation. A large section of this community is living below poverty line, lacking all kinds of infrastructural facilities. They need economic boosting, jobs, better accommodations and better social acceptance.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will reveal to the Namasudras how much the true and living God loves them.
Pray that soon they will be discipled in the ways of the one with the "true name" who gave his life to save sinners and provide abundant life.


Scripture Prayers for the Namassej (Hindu traditions) in Bhutan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17756/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namasudra
http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/4b6fe2370.pdf


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Namassej (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Namassej (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation NAY-muh-sez
Alternate Names Canana; Chanao; Chandal; Chandel; Chanral; Chattri; Khanda-Khatriya; Nama; Namassut; Namasud; Namo; Verhudti; नमास्सेज
Population this Country 4,900
Population all Countries 4,490,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17756
ROP3 Code 113215
ROP25 Code 305843
ROP25 Name Namasudra
Country Bhutan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 36  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Western
4,100
Eastern
600
Southern
200
Central
40
Country Bhutan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 36  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Western 4,100
  Eastern 600
  Southern 200
  Central 40
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 Bhutan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Assamese Hindi
Primary Language Bengali
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Assamese
  Hindi
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 Copyrighted © 2024  Create International  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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