Mina Bhil in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The word mina means fish. The Meena tribe is believed to be a mixture of more than one tribe. It seems the fisher men community called Meenavar eventually became Meena, who are notoriously known as thieves and robbers. The Mina Bhil are a scheduled tribe which means they have low status in Hindu society. They have a low literacy level, so the gospel will need to be given in oral forms. They live in a swarth of land from Rajasthan in the west to Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in central India. The Mina Bhil in Rajasthan speak Vagri and Bhil. Some of them can speak Hindi.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Meenas like to stay scattered. Most of the hills have not more than two or three houses. Each of these houses will have a single room and a single entrance. Since there are no windows, a door is the only source for light to creep in. This is ideal in a land of extreme climates. In summer when there is no agricultural activity, many of the men will be involved in making tiles. They bake hand-made clay tiles in fire. Ladies kill time by making brooms and mats from palm branches. To beat boredom some will be distilling liquor. Country liquor made from the mova flower is the common and favorite hot drink in the season. In summer, water is very scarce. In some places they even use sand to wash vessels! Water is precious in most places and fetching them is harder. Women walk quite a long away with several pots on head; this is a common scene in Rajasthan. Lack of education, illiteracy and lack of access to proper facilities keep the Meena under the clutches of several sicknesses. Tuberculosis and death during delivery is common in the villages. Though pastures are scanty, several of them are also involved in tending cattle, trying to make a living by the sale of milk products. They do not intermarry with other tribes. The younger brother of a deceased can marry his widow. It is told that a married man has freedom and access to his older brother's wife and wife's younger sister. Drums and dances are usual in weddings and other festivals. As the drum beats tightens, dresses loosen, and the dance can become indecent.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are officially Hindu, but many of their beliefs are unique to them. In the empty slopes of a hill among the cactus were found stones installed and wooden poles stood with flags. These are places of offerings and chants. Meena in Udaipur area, worship spirits and the chief among them is 'Magarababji '. Meena believe in life after death and rebirth. Those who do well in this life are supposed to be born as stars in the next birth.


What Are Their Needs?

The Mina Bhil people need to put Jesus Christ first in their lives so He can give them the abundant life He offers those who call Him lord.


Prayer Points

Pray that the council leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead others to Him. Pray that gospel recordings will lead them to salvation. Pray for spiritual discernment and a hunger for truth.


Scripture Prayers for the Bhil Mina in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bhil Mina
People Name in Country Bhil Mina
Natural Name Mina Bhil
Alternate Names Bhil Meena; Panka; भील मीना
Population this Country 122,000
Population all Countries 122,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 16484
ROP3 Code 111653
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Rajasthan
119,000
Madhya Pradesh
2,600
Chhattisgarh
80
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Rajasthan 119,000
  Madhya Pradesh 2,600
  Chhattisgarh 80
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.11 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.72 %
Islam
0.12 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.03 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Wagdi (85,000 speakers)
Language Code wbr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 26
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
3,200
Mewari
2,000
Malvi
700
Sadri, Oraon
500
Bhili
200
Gujarati
100
Sadri
100
Marwari (India)
60
Nimadi
60
Haroti: Harauti
50
Tamil
20
Bhilali
20
Bareli, Palya
10
Chhattisgarhi Telugu
Primary Language Wagdi (85,000 speakers)
Language Code wbr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 26
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 3,200
  Mewari 2,000
  Malvi 700
  Sadri, Oraon 500
  Bhili 200
  Gujarati 100
  Sadri 100
  Marwari (India) 60
  Nimadi 60
  Haroti: Harauti 50
  Tamil 20
  Bhilali 20
  Bareli, Palya 10
  Chhattisgarhi 10
  Telugu 10
People Groups Speaking Wagdi
Photo Source Jim Myers 
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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