Miji 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

There are three groups of Mishmis, namely the Digaru, Idu and Miju, each having their distinctive dialects. Their main economic resources are from the land (agriculture) and forest produce. Mishmis are known for their weaving skills, producing shawls, blouses, jackets, skirts, coats, bags and even other products such as bamboo baskets and bead-necklaces. They also trade in these products, yet they are one of the weakest tribes economically in Arunachal.

Mishmis are non-vegetarian. Men and children consume pork as well as beef; eating almost every part of the animal. However, their women eat the meat of small birds and fish. Their houses are made of bamboo and the roof is thatched with long grass. They are constructed on raised platforms, beneath which their domestic animals such as pigs and chickens are kept.


Where Are they Located?

Mishmis are located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, one of the seven north-eastern states in India.

The Idu Mishmi generally live in the Lower Dibang Valley, the Dibang Valley, Lohit and East Siang in Arunachal Pradesh of India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They have a rich culture, tradition, costumes and customs. They mainly have an oral tradition and no script. However, recently they formed a script of Roman origin.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Mishmis follow hereditary shamanism, the most important characteristics of which are the concept of one supreme being and a complex system of beliefs based on nature and its spiritual qualities.

Mithun (a bison-like animal) and pigs are sacrificed in a number of rituals and pujas during festivals. Their world view is also influenced by their belief in good and bad spirits.

They are animistic and believe in the existence of spirits that govern the rule of nature. They do believe in the existence of ghosts (evil spirits). They pray to "almighty sun" and the divine spirit that governs the universe to look into their needs and that no curse be upon them.


What Are Their Needs?

Arunachal Pradesh is a culturally and religiously very sensitive state. There are restrictions for anyone from outside the state entering it or residing there. Any Indian national from outside the state requires a special permit from the government, whereas any foreign nationals are permitted to visit only for a short period and that too only as a tourist.

Arunchal is the first state in India, where a bill restricting change of religion was passed. Nevertheless, in the past several years, hundreds of people have become followers of Jesus. The Spirit of God has been working in the lives of the people and they are thirsty for the Word of God. The fast growing church requires the Word of God in the mother tongue, to establish strong, witnessing congregations.


Prayer Points

Pray for the building of strong relationships with the Government for the overall development of the Mishmi community
Pray for training and guidance for the four personnel identified as mother tongue translators, as they start the translation process
Pray for both the Digaru and Miju to have gexcellent translations of Scripture that will effectively reach every Mishmi person, leading to their transformation


Scripture Prayers for the Miji in India.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Miji
People Name in Country Miji
Alternate Names Dhammai; Kaman; Miju Mishmi; Mishmi; Nimmai; Sajalong; मिजू
Population this Country 9,100
Population all Countries 9,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 17557
ROP3 Code 112981
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)
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 1
  Arunachal Pradesh 9,100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
10.79 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
42.16 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
13.15 %
Islam
1.07 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.04 %
Unknown
32.79 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Miju-Mishmi (3,900 speakers)
Language Code mxj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
Miji
3,400
Adi
300
Assamese
200
Sadri
30
Nyishi
10
Mizo
10
Hindi Sartang Deori
Primary Language Miju-Mishmi (3,900 speakers)
Language Code mxj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 10
Secondary Languages
  Miji 3,400
  Adi 300
  Assamese 200
  Sadri 30
  Nyishi 10
  Mizo 10
  Hindi 0
  Sartang 0
  Deori 0
People Groups Speaking Miju-Mishmi

Primary Language:  Miju-Mishmi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2017)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Miju-Mishmi Jesus Film Project
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Rev. T. Kampu 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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