Munda in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 1

Subgroup Name Population
Nagbansi 29,000

Introduction / History

The Munda probably came to India from South East Asia hundreds of years ago. Most Munda live across northeast and central India. Most Indian Hindus see the Munda as outside the caste system. The Munda are one of the largest tribal people groups of India. They are one of the Scheduled Classes, which means the Munda are guaranteed places in education and government jobs. The Munda speak many different regional languages including their own language of Mundari, Assamese and Hindi. During the colonial period much of their land was taken away and they became agricultural workers tied to the land.
Where Are they Located?
The Munda live primarily in the northeast Indian states of Assam, Jharkand, Odisha and West Bengal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Munda have traditionally been farm laborers, woodcutters and basket weavers. They live in their own villages although some educated Munda have moved to the cities. They are endogamous, that is, they marry within their community. Society is patriarchal with older men ruling over the villages. A newly married couple lives with or near the husband's parents. Sons inherit land, houses and possessions. The main occupation of the Munda men and women is agriculture with most working fields owned by others. The Munda eat meat except for beef. Their main food is rice along with fruits and vegetables. The Munda have elaborate rituals to celebrate birth, death, engagement and marriage according to the Wikipedia article on the Munda.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most of the Munda consider themselves Hindus. However, orthodox Hindus see the Munda as practicing a religion called Sarnaism, the religion of the holy woods or Sal trees. Followers of Sarnaism worship the Creator God, Dharmesh or Singbonga, and the Mother Earth Goddess, Chalapachho Devi. Those who practice Sarnaism worship in village temples or in sacred groves of Sal trees. Each village has one or more priests who lead in worship. A small percent of Munda call themselves Christians.


What Are Their Needs?

The Munda people need consistent and local medical care.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord would lead Christian workers to become friends with the Munda and help them with their medical, educational and business needs.
Pray the Munda Christians would receive Bible and leadership training and be willing to share the gospel with their brothers and sisters.
Pray that Bible believing churches would be established among the Munda.


Scripture Prayers for the Munda in India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Munda
People Name in Country Munda
Alternate Names Colh; Haroko; Hor; Horohon; Horo-hon; Kaur; Manki; Mudus; Mundu; Mura; मुंडा
Population this Country 4,363,000
Population all Countries 4,423,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 13867
ROP3 Code 106893
ROP25 Code 305692
ROP25 Name Munda
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 23
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Assam
1,708,000
Jharkhand
1,465,000
Odisha
668,000
West Bengal
436,000
Arunachal Pradesh
21,000
Chhattisgarh
18,000
Tripura
17,000
Bihar
17,000
Madhya Pradesh
6,100
Manipur
2,700
Andaman and Nicobar
2,500
Nagaland
800
Rajasthan
500
Maharashtra
500
Delhi
300
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 23  (only 20 largest shown)
  Assam 1,708,000
  Jharkhand 1,465,000
  Odisha 668,000
  West Bengal 436,000
  Arunachal Pradesh 21,000
  Chhattisgarh 18,000
  Tripura 17,000
  Bihar 17,000
  Madhya Pradesh 6,100
  Manipur 2,700
  Andaman and Nicobar 2,500
  Nagaland 800
  Rajasthan 500
  Maharashtra 500
  Delhi 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.05 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
20.46 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
61.93 %
Islam
0.20 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.01 %
Unknown
17.35 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Mundari (1,191,000 speakers)
Language Code unr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 94
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Assamese
1,019,000
Bengali
316,000
Odia
287,000
Sadri
281,000
Munda
176,000
Hindi
125,000
Maithili
63,000
Santhali
50,000
Ho
43,000
Kurux
42,000
Panchpargania
42,000
Chhattisgarhi
20,000
Sadri, Oraon
8,200
Kuvi
4,800
Bhojpuri
2,600
Primary Language Mundari (1,191,000 speakers)
Language Code unr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 94
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Assamese 1,019,000
  Bengali 316,000
  Odia 287,000
  Sadri 281,000
  Munda 176,000
  Hindi 125,000
  Maithili 63,000
  Santhali 50,000
  Ho 43,000
  Kurux 42,000
  Panchpargania 42,000
  Chhattisgarhi 20,000
  Sadri, Oraon 8,200
  Kuvi 4,800
  Bhojpuri 2,600
People Groups Speaking Mundari

Primary Language:  Mundari

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1876-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2020-2021)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1910-2002)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) 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 Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Mundari Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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 resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Ramesh Lalwani - Flickr  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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