Rongmei in India
Photo Source:
Sumita Roy Dutta - Wikimedia
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Rongmei |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 112,000 |
| World Population: | 112,000 |
| Primary Language: | Naga, Inpui |
| Primary Religion: | Christianity |
| Christian Adherents: | 92.32 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Tribal - Naga |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Rongmei people, like the larger Naga tribe, were once headhunters. According to Rongmei tradition, when a young man turns 17 or 18, he is considered a warrior. In order to prove his worth as a warrior, he has to collect the head of an enemy from another village. The Rongmei are believed to have come from Mongolia through China and then into South Asia. For this reason they have Mongoloid facial features. The Rongmei are spread out in three states of northeastern India:Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. They mostly live in villages in the hills and forests. Nine of 10 Rongmei claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. The New Testament is available in the main language of the Rongmei, Inpui Naga.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The houses of the Rongmei are mostly made of wood with a thatched roof. They hunt for game and gather other food sources from the forest. Since the forest receives heavy rainfall, edible plants of all kinds are abundant. The Rongmei also engage in small scale agriculture and animal husbandry.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The large majority of the Rongmei claim to follow Jesus Christ due to decades of missionary activity in northeast Indian. However, for many Rongmei their Christianity is superficial and they continue to practice animism, the belief that spirits inhabit the objects of nature. The Rongmei need to learn to read so they are read the Bible in their language and grow spiritually.
What Are Their Needs?
This people need to know more about the teaching of Jesus. Many Rongmei still think that Christianity is a western religion. There is a need for more Bible trained pastors who would spend time living with the Rongmei and testifying of the living God. Providing for physical needs is also necessary since there is a lack of modern medicine and electricity.
Prayer Points
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will drive the Rongmei people to read the New Testament in their language. Pray for the Lord to raise up trained pastors and teachers who can instruct the Rongmei in the teachings of the Bible. Pray for a disciple making movement to flourish among the Rongmei people this decade. Pray for true Rongmei disciples to take the gospel to other peoples in their area.