Thanga Meitei 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

The Thengal traditionally were washers of silver but now they work mainly in agriculture.

They live in Assam and speak, read and write in Assamese.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The women are good at weaving. The Thengal have many clans. Their families practice the custom of providing a bride price. They allow for divorce and remarriage. Like most Hindu communities they cremate their dead. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property. They are not vegetarians and eat rice as a staple food.

There is a village council to look after them. Government development programs have benefited them. Bihu is the most important festival for them.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples 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 or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.

Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Thanga Meitei people need a John 10:10 blessing: The abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.


Prayer Points

Pray that Indian Christians will lead Thengal families to worship the King of kings.

Pray that the council leaders come to salvation and lead others to Jesus Christ.

Pray for the Lord to use dreams and visions along with the JESUS Film to draw Thengal people to the Lord.


Scripture Prayers for the Meitei Thanga in India.


References

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Meitei Thanga
People Name in Country Meitei Thanga
Natural Name Thanga Meitei
Alternate Names मएइतेई तांगा
Population this Country 134,000
Population all Countries 134,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 21203
ROP3 Code 118025
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 2
Largest States
Manipur
120,000
Assam
14,000
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 2
  Manipur 120,000
  Assam 14,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.95 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
86.23 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
12.83 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Meitei (118,000 speakers)
Language Code mni   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Assamese
200
Primary Language Meitei (118,000 speakers)
Language Code mni   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Assamese 200
People Groups Speaking Meitei

Primary Language:  Meitei

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1820-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1827-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1984-2022)
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 Scripture / Portions General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Meitei Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Manipuri Bible Bibles International
Mobile App Android Bible app: Meitei YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Manipuri Bible General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Meitei YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Meitei Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Siddharth Haobijam - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024