Rai 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

Collectively the Rai are known as very courageous, daring, and fearless people. In recent history they have won worldwide respect for their bravery in the Royal Nepalese Army. Joining the army is often a way out of enduring economic hardship. It also brings respect and honor, especially for those of high military rank.


Where Are they Located?

The Rai peoples are most likely to be found in Nepal and Bhutan, but a smaller number live in India and Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Among the Rai, weddings are very festive occasions. Some marriages are facilitated by kongpi, or middlemen, who work out the details of the marriage. Gifts are presented to the families; and if accepted, the family sets a marriage date. Sometimes marriages are facilitated by the "arranged kidnapping" of the girl of one's choice. Many believe that this method brings about good results, though it probably opens the door for abuse of the woman.

At the wedding, guests give gifts to the parents of the bride and groom, as well as to a long line of family members and village elders. They often sacrifice an animal, usually a pig or rooster at this time. There is an abundance of meat and drinks at these weddings. One favorite beverage is made from barley and potatoes. Often the whole night is spent in singing and celebration.


What Are Their Beliefs?

While the majority of Rai are Hindus, there are also a large number of animists who believe that non-human objects have spirits. In addition, they have been heavily influenced by Buddhism. This mixture has created a wide variety of gods and worship practices among them. These customs are most evident during such events as births, marriages, and deaths. The influence of Hinduism has led to many of the dead now being cremated instead of being buried.


What Are Their Needs?

The Rai people need ways to earn a living in such a way that they can afford higher education for their children. They also need believers to go to them as Christ-bearers so that they have the chance to experience life to the full (Jn 10:10).


Prayer Points

Ask God to call out faithful prayer teams to break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will raise up long-term laborers to live and work among the Rai people in Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and India.
Ask the Holy Spirit to complete the work begun in the hearts of the few Rai believers in India through adequate discipleship. Pray that this will lead to an unstoppable Disciple-aking Movement.
Ask the Lord to raise up a triumphant church among the Rai for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the Rai in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rai_people
http://www.greathimalayatrails.com/ght-about-nepal/rai-people/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Rai-people
https://www.revolvy.com/main/index.php?s=Rai%20people


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Rai
People Name in Country Rai
Alternate Names Jimdar; Khambu; Kirat-Rai; Majhi Kirant; Manjh-Kirant; राई
Population this Country 142,000
Population all Countries 860,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 17925
ROP3 Code 113409
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 25
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
63,000
Assam
50,000
Sikkim
16,000
Meghalaya
3,600
Manipur
2,500
Jharkhand
1,400
Arunachal Pradesh
1,300
Madhya Pradesh
900
Mizoram
700
Uttar Pradesh
600
Bihar
600
Uttarakhand
500
Nagaland
400
Maharashtra
100
Himachal Pradesh
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 25  (only 20 largest shown)
  West Bengal 63,000
  Assam 50,000
  Sikkim 16,000
  Meghalaya 3,600
  Manipur 2,500
  Jharkhand 1,400
  Arunachal Pradesh 1,300
  Madhya Pradesh 900
  Mizoram 700
  Uttar Pradesh 600
  Bihar 600
  Uttarakhand 500
  Nagaland 400
  Maharashtra 100
  Himachal Pradesh 80
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
1.07 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
12.64 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
58.26 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
27.94 %
Unknown
0.09 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Nepali (85,000 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Marathi: Rai
19,000
Bengali
18,000
Assamese
2,300
Hindi
1,700
Bantawa
800
Primary Language Nepali (85,000 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Marathi: Rai 19,000
  Bengali 18,000
  Assamese 2,300
  Hindi 1,700
  Bantawa 800
People Groups Speaking Nepali

Primary Language:  Nepali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1850-1961)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1821-2010)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1914-2024)
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 Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Nepali 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 New Way (Naya Goreto) Create International
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 Internet Publishing Sevice
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali Bible The Love Fellowship
Mobile App Android Bible app: TBS Nepali Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Nepali Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta Nepali General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Nepali Bible Stories Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Nepali Literacy & Evangelism International
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 Rai504089 - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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