Nai (Hindu traditions) in India


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

Introduction / History

The Hindu Nai people are located throughout the nation of India. Their traditional occupation is that of cutting hair and nails. The Nai are known by dozens of other names depending on what part of India they live in. The main language of the Nai is Hindi but they also speak the regional languages of where they reside. Unfortunately, many of the Hindu Nai are illiterate or functionally illiterate. The gospel will have to be shared with them in oral and visual forms. Many resources are available in Hindi including the complete Bible, radio programs and the JESUS Film.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Nai are associated with the barber profession. The Nai groom their clients by as cutting hair and nails. They also provide minor medical services like extracting teeth and setting sprains right. The Nai often perform duties in connection with marriage, matchmaking and wedding celebrations. Nai women, called 'Naun ', are hairdressers, henna artists and midwives. The Nai tend to be quiet people, which is important to their trade. A large-scale occupational change is taking place with many Nai taking up other trades and professions in modern India. The literacy rate among the Nai is low. Many children leave school after a few years to help their parents earn a living. The traditional extended family is still common. Sons inherit equal shares in the family property and the eldest succeeds as head of the family. Nai women are secondary in status to males. A Nai caste council settle legal issues and promotes their interests with outsiders.


There are few known believers among the Nai.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Nai practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon and their brand of Hinduism is influenced by folk religion. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Nai 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 as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Nai people are 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. The Nai give special prominence to their regional deities. The Nai believe in evil spirits who, along with local deities, are believed to cause trouble and diseases. The Nai frequently go to shamans for their spiritual and medical needs. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Nai fit into the working caste.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nai need to learn new job skills and literacy. They need increased access to good schools, particularly for Nai women and girls. They also need access to modern medical facilities. The Nai need to know Jesus and His gospel. They need to be freed from being second-class citizens due to their caste ranking. They need to know that they can repent and become the children of God, members of His kingdom.


Prayer Points

Pray that Indian believers would build friendships with the Nai and tell them about the Savior. Pray for a disciple making movement that will bless the Nai people this decade. Ask the Lord to lead the Nai to listen to Christian radio programs in their languages.


Scripture Prayers for the Nai (Hindu traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Nai (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Nai (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation nah-EE
Alternate Names Aduthon; Ambattan; Amrewal; Arayavati; Aryavathi; Awadhi; Awadhia; Awari; Bammeru; Banbiro; Banvaru; Bhajanthri; Bhandari; Bhandary; Deshabhandari; Dhanwal; Didhia; Ghaijo; Hadapad; Hajam; Hajjam; Hazam; Jadowal; Jallan; Juvwa; Kaikan; Kaila; Kaith; Kalseru Navaliga; Kanaujia; Karagar; Kawa; Kelashi; Kelasi; Kelasi Mhali; Kelasiga; Khadeer; Khalasi; Khalipha; Khawas; Kodiya; Kshaurak; Kshourika; Kuleen; Kuleen Brahman; Kuleen Brahmin; Kuleen-Brahman; Kuleen-Brahmin; Mahale; Mangala; Mangali; Matkos; Matwal; Nabhik; Nadig; Nai; Naia; Naipit; Naiya; Naland; Napit; Napitha; Navaliga; Navid; Naya; Nayanaja Kshatriya; Nayeebrahman; Nayinda; Nhavi; Niaria; Ossatha; Osta; Ovachar; Panwar; Panwari; Pariyaliga; Punwari; Raja; Rajaji; Rajwan; Sanmukh; Savitha; Sen Samaj; Shil; Thakur; Ustadji; Valand; Valand Nadig; Varik; Vavdichaksi; Wadhi; Wadhio; नई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 14,275,000
Population all Countries 14,465,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 285
People ID 17745
ROP3 Code 113203
ROP25 Code 305805
ROP25 Name Nai
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 35
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Uttar Pradesh
3,078,000
West Bengal
1,327,000
Andhra Pradesh
1,256,000
Bihar
1,253,000
Madhya Pradesh
1,197,000
Rajasthan
1,060,000
Maharashtra
995,000
Tamil Nadu
702,000
Gujarat
593,000
Telangana
575,000
Jharkhand
417,000
Karnataka
372,000
Haryana
334,000
Chhattisgarh
276,000
Punjab
237,000
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 35  (only 20 largest shown)
  Uttar Pradesh 3,078,000
  West Bengal 1,327,000
  Andhra Pradesh 1,256,000
  Bihar 1,253,000
  Madhya Pradesh 1,197,000
  Rajasthan 1,060,000
  Maharashtra 995,000
  Tamil Nadu 702,000
  Gujarat 593,000
  Telangana 575,000
  Jharkhand 417,000
  Karnataka 372,000
  Haryana 334,000
  Chhattisgarh 276,000
  Punjab 237,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.07 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.93 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (4,955,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 67
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Telugu
1,554,000
Bengali
1,079,000
Marathi
654,000
Bhojpuri
531,000
Tamil
524,000
Gujarati
453,000
Kannada
284,000
Punjabi, Eastern
225,000
Marwari
200,000
Chhattisgarhi
164,000
Awadhi
158,000
Kanauji
143,000
Dhundari
135,000
Maithili
134,000
Magahi
90,000
Primary Language Hindi (4,955,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 67
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Telugu 1,554,000
  Bengali 1,079,000
  Marathi 654,000
  Bhojpuri 531,000
  Tamil 524,000
  Gujarati 453,000
  Kannada 284,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 225,000
  Marwari 200,000
  Chhattisgarhi 164,000
  Awadhi 158,000
  Kanauji 143,000
  Dhundari 135,000
  Maithili 134,000
  Magahi 90,000
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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 DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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 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
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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