Pashtun Mandanri (Manezai) in Pakistan

The Pashtun Mandanri (Manezai) have only been reported in Pakistan
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 Pashtun are probably the largest tribal people in the world. The Mandanri or Manezai are a sub-group of the Pashtun. Most Mandanri live in northwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border. The Pashtun are the second largest ethnic group in Pakistan. Arab-funded madrassas (religious schools) throughout Pakistan, became the seedbed for the rise of the Taliban movement. Driven by a combination of religious zeal and Pashtun nationalism, and fueled by Arab money, the "Taliban" (a term for "religious students") imposed a harsh, hyper-conservative (Wahabi) version of Islam on Afghanistan. Instability, endemic corruption, and ongoing violence have led to widespread disillusionment—and the migration of tens of thousands of Pashtuns seeking jobs and opportunities outside of their homeland. The Mandanri speak Northern Pashto, one of the two major Pashtun languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Pashtun's primary loyalty is to his particular social group (tribe or sub-tribe). Mandanri claim to be descendants of Qais Abdul Rashid, the legendary patriarch of the Pashtun. Pashtun share a common descent; the Islamic religion; the Pashtunwali Code of Honor; and to some extent, language (Pashto). The greatest evil for the Pashtun is to disgrace one's family, clan, or tribe. The Pashtun, especially the rural ones, live and die based on their code of honor. Tens of thousands of Pashtuns have departed from Pakistan seeking a better life in Europe, the Persian Gulf nations, and the West. Many Mandanri have moved to urban areas and taken up jobs in construction, factories, the oil industry, and retail. The traditional occupations of the Pashtun Mandanri in Pakistan are agriculture and animal husbandry. One could almost say that a third profession of the Pashtun is warfare. They have been fighting outsiders and among themselves for centuries. Every Pashtun man considers himself a warrior. The life of a Pashtun Mandanri woman depends upon where she lives. In the countryside, women follow the traditional role of being wives and caretakers for the children. In cities, women are more likely to obtain an education and work outside of the home. A man may have up to four wives in Islam if he can afford them. Most men marry only one wife. Young people marry within their clan. Children, especially boys, are seen as a blessing from Allah.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Pashtun Mandanri are Sunni Muslims, the largest branch of Islam. Being a Muslim is viewed an essential part of the Mandanri's identity. Mandanri try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols. If a Mandanri man or woman becomes a follower of Jesus Christ, he or she will face persecution from his or her family and community. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast, and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.


What Are Their Needs?

The Mandanri need to hear and understand the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life. Rural Pashtun have an oral culture. Most rural women and many men are unable to read and write. Mandanri would benefit from better access to modern medicine and education.


Prayer Points

Pray for wide availability for Northern Pashto language radio programs. Pray that Mandanri families will be led to listen to these programs. Pray for an openness to the gospel among Mandanri elders and leaders. Ask the Lord to raise up a church planting movement among the Pashtun Mandanri in Pakistan in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Pashtun Mandanri (Manezai) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Pashtun Mandanri (Manezai)
People Name in Country Pashtun Mandanri (Manezai)
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,409,000
Population all Countries 1,409,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 28
PeopleID3 22223
ROP3 Code 119241
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
1,402,000
Islamabad
3,400
Azad Kashmir
2,800
Gilgit-Baltistan
600
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1,402,000
  Islamabad 3,400
  Azad Kashmir 2,800
  Gilgit-Baltistan 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (937,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
Pashto, Central
340,000
Hindko, Northern
75,000
Khowar
11,000
Urdu
10,000
Torwali
2,300
Gawri
1,500
Pahari-Potwari
1,300
Saraiki
600
Kohistani, Indus
400
Punjabi, Western
300
Hindko, Southern
300
Kashmiri
100
Shina
60
Primary Language Pashto, Northern (937,000 speakers)
Language Code pbu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 14
Secondary Languages
  Pashto, Central 340,000
  Hindko, Northern 75,000
  Khowar 11,000
  Urdu 10,000
  Torwali 2,300
  Gawri 1,500
  Pahari-Potwari 1,300
  Saraiki 600
  Kohistani, Indus 400
  Punjabi, Western 300
  Hindko, Southern 300
  Kashmiri 100
  Shina 60
People Groups Speaking Pashto, Northern

Primary Language:  Pashto, Northern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1824-2010)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1991)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1895-2020)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, New Testament DAVAR Partners International
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Pashto, Northern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General General Ministry Resources 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 direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mataluna - Pashto General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Zabur - Pashto General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto Injil General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pashto, Northern YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source National Archives  Creative Commons 
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.


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