Namassej (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: 13 (10 largest shown)  Show all

Subgroup Name Population
Chasa 249,000
Kora 241,000
Nunia 241,000
Poddar 37,000
Das 18,000
Kishori 18,000
Mechho 18,000
Nolo 18,000
Seuli 18,000
Ganrar 17,000

Introduction / History

The Namassej are like many population groups of Bengal; they were made outcastes during the Sen Dynasty due to their defiant nature. They were hunted to southern swamps until the Europeans came. The Namassej started migrating to the central part of Bengal. The caste system which ostracizes them also to some extent protects them from mixing with other peoples. The Namassej identify themselves by their mythical clan Rishi Buddhas. They were named Namsudra during British Regime and the use of the sanction term "Chandala" was restricted by an Official Order of British-India Government. Now the community have gained acknowledgement by the name "Namassej" after the Namas Rishi, son of the great clan Rishi Buddha Kashyapa. The Namssej are found all over West Bengal, northeast Indian states and to some extent all over India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today they are more or less accepted, particularly among other uprooted Bengali Hindu settlements. Their cultural life is very much like an average Bengali. They are hard-working, very lively, enthusiastic, and conscious of their own identity. They are also honest, but after the division of India there has been a deterioration in their community. Their economic condition is very poor. Their literacy rate is average. The number of people with higher education is low. They are engaged in all kinds of professions but those living in villages are engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. A small number of their population is working for the government or for private companies.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Namssej practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Their type of Hinduism is heavily influenced by folk religion. Their specific beliefs are "Matua" and they follow Harichand Thakur. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 Namssej visit Hindu shrine 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Namssej people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The Namassej are viewed as in the lowest.


What Are Their Needs?

Their basic need is for economic restoration and socio-political rehabilitation. After independence in 1947 this community has lived as uprooted refugees. A large section of this community is living below the poverty line, lacking all kinds of infrastructural facilities such as water and electricity. They need jobs and social acceptance. Most of all need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and bring them spiritual riches.


Prayer Points

Pray that each Namassej person has the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that he or she can understand. Ask the Lord to send workers to the Namassej to tell them about Jesus. Pray for the Lord to raise up a disciple making movement among the Namassej in this decade.


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


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 4,371,000
Population all Countries 5,034,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 87
PeopleID3 17756
ROP3 Code 113215
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Dalit - Namassej
People Group Namassej (Hindu traditions)
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 13
  Chasa 249,000
  Kora 241,000
  Nunia 241,000
  Poddar 37,000
  Das 18,000
  Kishori 18,000
  Mechho 18,000
  Nolo 18,000
  Seuli 18,000
  Ganrar 17,000
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 33
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
3,519,000
Assam
633,000
Tripura
216,000
Odisha
153,000
Bihar
81,000
Jharkhand
16,000
Uttar Pradesh
12,000
Andaman and Nicobar
11,000
Nagaland
10,000
Chhattisgarh
7,000
Maharashtra
6,800
Manipur
3,700
Madhya Pradesh
3,500
Meghalaya
3,500
Rajasthan
3,100
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 33  (only 20 largest shown)
  West Bengal 3,519,000
  Assam 633,000
  Tripura 216,000
  Odisha 153,000
  Bihar 81,000
  Jharkhand 16,000
  Uttar Pradesh 12,000
  Andaman and Nicobar 11,000
  Nagaland 10,000
  Chhattisgarh 7,000
  Maharashtra 6,800
  Manipur 3,700
  Madhya Pradesh 3,500
  Meghalaya 3,500
  Rajasthan 3,100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.04 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.48 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.46 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (3,812,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Assamese
467,000
Hindi
222,000
Odia
131,000
Sadri
35,000
Maithili
33,000
Amri Karbi
11,000
Kok Borok
6,800
Desiya
1,600
Bhojpuri
1,200
Andaman Hindi Creole
1,000
Kurux
900
Santhali
600
Mundari
600
Magahi
400
Kui (India)
300
Primary Language Bengali (3,812,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 20
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Assamese 467,000
  Hindi 222,000
  Odia 131,000
  Sadri 35,000
  Maithili 33,000
  Amri Karbi 11,000
  Kok Borok 6,800
  Desiya 1,600
  Bhojpuri 1,200
  Andaman Hindi Creole 1,000
  Kurux 900
  Santhali 600
  Mundari 600
  Magahi 400
  Kui (India) 300
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

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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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