Thadou 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: 1

Subgroup Name Population
Teizang 3,800

Introduction / History

The Thadou are an indigenous people who live in the hill country adjacent to the Imphal Valley in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur. The Thadou share many cultural affinities with the many other tribal groups who live near them. In 1983 there were 125,100 Thadou living in India and 26,200 living in Myanmar (Burma). The Thadou language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of the Sino-Tibetan languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Thadou settlements are located in forests. Sites on the tops of ridges or just below ridges are preferred. Villages are not arranged according to an established urban plan and there is no marking of the perimeter of a village. The village chief's house is usually the largest dwelling within the village. Outside it (and outside the homes of wealthy villagers) there is a platform upon which men gather to discuss matters of importance and to mediate disputes. The typical Thadou dwelling is about 6 meters long and 5 meters wide. The rear of the house is elevated 1. 5 to 2 meters above the ground while the front of the house rests on the surface of the sloping ground. Wooden posts and rafters are used for the household frame. Thatching grass held in place by split bamboo is used for the roof and bamboo matting is used for the walls. The house contains one large roof and a front veranda. The interior room is used for cooking, storage, general living and sleeping. The veranda is used for the pounding of rice. An enclosure (of wood tied together by bamboo or cane) may surround the house to protect the household garden. Banana plants are usually found near Thadou villages.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Thadou claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many of them are Christians in name only. Most are still influenced by folk religion. The Madiga believer that spirit inhabit the objects of nature. These animistic beliefs are inconsistent with the teachings of the Bible.


What Are Their Needs?

The Thadou feel that they are destined to be rulers of the earth. This attitude led to the Anglo-Thadou War/Kuki rebellion of 1917-1919. In spite of their defeat then, the Thadou maintain the belief that a promising future awaits them. The Thadou need trained pastors and Bible teachers who can explain to them the Word of God and what God requires of them.


Prayer Points

Pray that Thadou parents are able to provide adequately for their children. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will give the Thadou people a willingness to learn and obey the teachings of the Bible. Pray for a strong disciple making movement that will bless the Madiga people this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Thadou in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Thadou
People Name in Country Thadou
Alternate Names Chillya; Kuki; Kukihin; Teizang; Theruvan; तादौ
Population this Country 245,000
Population all Countries 245,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18232
ROP3 Code 113760
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 6
Largest States
Manipur
243,000
Mizoram
600
Assam
500
Tripura
200
Delhi
200
Meghalaya
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 6
  Manipur 243,000
  Mizoram 600
  Assam 500
  Tripura 200
  Delhi 200
  Meghalaya 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.18 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
97.89 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.50 %
Islam
0.39 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.04 %
Unknown
1.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Chin, Thado (210,000 speakers)
Language Code tcz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 46
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hmar
1,400
Vaiphei
900
Chin, Paite
900
Hindi
700
Naga, Tangkhul (India)
600
Zo
600
Chin, Senthang
400
Mizo
300
Gangte
200
Kom (India)
200
English
200
Meitei
100
Anal
100
Naga, Inpui: Naga, Kabui
100
Urdu
80
Primary Language Chin, Thado (210,000 speakers)
Language Code tcz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 46
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hmar 1,400
  Vaiphei 900
  Chin, Paite 900
  Hindi 700
  Naga, Tangkhul (India) 600
  Zo 600
  Chin, Senthang 400
  Mizo 300
  Gangte 200
  Kom (India) 200
  English 200
  Meitei 100
  Anal 100
  Naga, Inpui: Naga, Kabui 100
  Urdu 80
People Groups Speaking Chin, Thado
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  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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