Matang (Hindu traditions) 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.

Subgroups: 7

Subgroup Name Population
Chapalsandhe 4,000
Khandesh 1,400
Berarie 1,300
Dakhne 1,300
Gurupanthi 1,300
Kabirpanthi 1,300
Ramanandi 1,300

Introduction / History

The Matang are a small group living in southwest India. They are considered outside the standard four caste Hindu social system and face daily discrimination by other Hindus. According to Buddhist legend, a Matang girl was asked by a follower of the Buddha for water. The girl answered that she could not give him water because she was from outside of the Hindu caste system. The Buddhist man said he wanted water and did not care what caste she was from. The girl left her village and became a Buddhist nun. They are still mainly Hindu, but some are Buddhist now.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Matang do manual labor such as digging holes for construction sites. Some do farm work on land owned by others. Most of Matang live in extreme poverty. Most cannot read or write. A few have taken advantage of India's public schools and found better jobs. The Matang are known for having tattoos. They have their own music and drama based on oral tradition. Families arrange marriages within the Matang group. Cousin marriages are common with the girls marrying as young a 11 or 12. A man can have multiple wives if he can afford them. Property is inherited by the sons. Village elders settle legal issues and promote Matang interests.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Matang practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They may get their name from the Hindu goddess, Matangi. She is worshipped as the goddess of music and supernatural power by her devotees. She is one of the many forms of the mother goddess Devi. 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 Matang people visit Hindu shrines and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Matang people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. Unfortunately, the Matang belong to this last group.


What Are Their Needs?

The Matang would benefit by teams of teachers and medical workers coming to them. The Matang need job skills that can help raise their low standard of living.
The primary language of the Matang is Marathi. Many resources are available in Marathi including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film. The gospel will need to be presented to the Matang in visual and oral forms since many cannot read.


Prayer Points

Pray that village elders come to Jesus Christ and lead the others of the Matang to salvation also. Pray that God has teams of workers go to the Matang to help with their physical needs. Pray for an unstoppable disciple making movement begins and flourishes among the Matang. Pray that the Lord sends Hindu background believers to tell the Matang about Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Matang (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Matang (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Matang (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Madiga; Mang; Mang Garodi; Mang Garudi; Mangela; Matgar; Minimadig; मातंग (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 2,922,000
Population all Countries 2,924,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 58
PeopleID3 17463
ROP3 Code 112871
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 22
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Maharashtra
2,817,000
Madhya Pradesh
33,000
Karnataka
30,000
Telangana
15,000
Gujarat
15,000
Chhattisgarh
4,000
Rajasthan
2,400
Tamil Nadu
1,700
Goa
1,300
Delhi
1,000
Uttar Pradesh
500
Kerala
500
Dadra and Nagar Have
400
West Bengal
300
Assam
100
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 22  (only 20 largest shown)
  Maharashtra 2,817,000
  Madhya Pradesh 33,000
  Karnataka 30,000
  Telangana 15,000
  Gujarat 15,000
  Chhattisgarh 4,000
  Rajasthan 2,400
  Tamil Nadu 1,700
  Goa 1,300
  Delhi 1,000
  Uttar Pradesh 500
  Kerala 500
  Dadra and Nagar Have 400
  West Bengal 300
  Assam 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
7.83 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.15 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
91.98 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.03 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marathi (2,517,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
38,000
Ahirani
9,100
Konkani
8,300
Khandesi
4,900
Telugu
3,500
Konkani, Goan
3,400
Gujarati
2,000
Kannada
1,900
Chhattisgarhi
1,400
Kacchi
1,300
Malvi
900
Nimadi
600
English
600
Wagdi
20
Bengali
20
Primary Language Marathi (2,517,000 speakers)
Language Code mar   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 38,000
  Ahirani 9,100
  Konkani 8,300
  Khandesi 4,900
  Telugu 3,500
  Konkani, Goan 3,400
  Gujarati 2,000
  Kannada 1,900
  Chhattisgarhi 1,400
  Kacchi 1,300
  Malvi 900
  Nimadi 600
  English 600
  Wagdi 20
  Bengali 20
People Groups Speaking Marathi

Primary Language:  Marathi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1807-1957)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1982)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1821-2024)
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 Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Marathi 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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Marathi Bible (मराठी बायबल) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi Contemporary Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Marathi Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Marathi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Marathi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Marathi Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Marathi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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