Jhalo Malo in Bangladesh


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 Jhalo Malo are a low class group of people who live in Bangladesh and India. Malo means "boatman" in Arabic. The traditional occupation of the Jhalo Malo is that of fishing. They fish with nets in the Bay of Bengal and in the rivers of Bangladesh
The Jhalo Malo people are mostly employed in activities related to fishing. Many supervise fish trade while some are employed in fisheries and fishing cooperative societies. Some are self-employed, while others are in salaried jobs. Rural development programs have helped them secure loans for fishing. They have established a caste association for the all-round development of their community.

The Malo also work as landless laborers in agriculture. Unfortunately, the Malo are looked down upon by Hindu and Muslim society. Brahmin castes will not receive food or water from them. Illiteracy is a big problem with many Malo people unable to read or write. The Bangladeshi government is trying to raise the educational and economic levels of the Malo. Much work still needs to be done.

The primary language of the Jhalo Malo is Bengali. Some others speak regional languages of Bangladesh.


Where Are they Located?

The most Jhalo Malo lives in the Bangladeshi states of Dhaka, Rajshahi and Khulna. Smaller groups live in other Bangladeshi states. A large population of Jhalo Malo lives in northeast India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lives of the Jhalo Malo are difficult. When fishing is good, they can earn enough money to feed their families. When fishing is bad, they can starve. Landless farm workers often live by the whim of the landowners.

The Jhalo Malo marry within their caste but not within their particular clan or family. Families arrange marriages. Fortunately, child marriage of Jhalo girls is disappearing. Sons inherit their father's property.

Since most Brahmins refuge to associate with them, the Malo priests officiate at important life ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals. The Malo dead are cremated often near a river.

The main foods of the Jhalo Malo are fish, rice, curries, vegetables and other grains. As Hindus, they do not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jhalo Malo are Hindus and devoted to Vishnu, the preserver god and his avatars, especially Rama and Krishna. Malo are often denied entrance into Hindu temples so they have their own shrines and places of worship.

Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Malo visit shrines and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their god Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi.


The main yearly holidays of the Jhalo Malo people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jhalo Malo have many spiritual and physical needs. They need help in educating their children. They would benefit by modern medicine. They need help in learning new job skills. Most of all, they need to hear the life changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord sends Christian workers to help the Jhalo Malo.
Pray that the Jhalo Malo turn away from Vishnu and open their hearts to Jesus.
Pray that whole families of the Jhalo Malo are brought to the Savior and that Bible believing churches are planted in the Malo community.


Scripture Prayers for the Jhalo Malo in Bangladesh.


References

peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=41500
http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dalit_Community
indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Malo,_Bankura


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Jhalo Malo
People Name in Country Jhalo Malo
Pronunciation JOH-loh MOH-loh
Alternate Names Mala; Malakar; Malo; Malo Patni; झालो मालो
Population this Country 224,000
Population all Countries 683,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
PeopleID3 17007
ROP3 Code 112331
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 7
Largest States
Dhaka
94,000
Khulna
59,000
Rajshahi
32,000
Sylhet
24,000
Rangpur
6,000
Chittagong
5,200
Barisal
2,600
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 7
  Dhaka 94,000
  Khulna 59,000
  Rajshahi 32,000
  Sylhet 24,000
  Rangpur 6,000
  Chittagong 5,200
  Barisal 2,600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.03 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.97 %
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 (200,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Sylheti
20,000
Chittagonian
900
Assamese
400
Bishnupuriya
300
Kok Borok
50
Primary Language Bengali (200,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Sylheti 20,000
  Chittagonian 900
  Assamese 400
  Bishnupuriya 300
  Kok Borok 50
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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