Radhi Brahmin in Bangladesh


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

Introduction / History

Brahmin is the highest of the four Hindu varnas or types of caste communities. The English word Brahmin is an anglicised form of the Sanskrit word brahmana. Brahman refers to the "supreme self" in Hinduism or the first of the four major Hindu gods whereas Brahmin refers to an individual.

Brahmins typically have early morning devotional times which they call pujas which involve prayer, meditation and making offerings their deities. Though they originated as the priestly varna, today only certain subsets of Brahmins are still involved in priestly duties for others such as teaching, preaching or performing public rituals.

The religious training of Brahmins prepares them well for advanced mathematics. In today's world, the top positions in such areas as computer programming, business, and politics are often filled by Brahmins.


Where Are they Located?

The Radhi Brahmins are mainly in India's state of West Bengal, which is adjacent to Bangladesh. Some of them live further east in this predominantly Muslim country. Those who live in Muslim countries do not enjoy the high status they have in Hindu lands.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For the Radhi Brahmins, some own land and farm it, and a smaller number are businessmen. Though Brahmins have their origins as priests and gurus, the Radhi are occupied in other areas in today's world.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Radhi Brahmins worship such deities as Manasa, Lakshmi, Kamaleshwari, Ganesh, and Kali. The history of the Brahmins is associated with the Vedic religion of early Hinduism. The Vedas are the primary source for Brahmin practices.

Since they have the highest status of any Hindu varna, Brahmins believe that they have everything to lose by "converting" to another religious system. A Brahmin believes he is on the verge of reaching nirvana if he earns good karma in this life by doing what he is supposed to do. He believes that it took thousands of years of being reincarnated to reach the high state he now enjoys. Switching to a "different God" would surely result in an inferior reincarnation after he dies. To reach them for Christ someone will have to enter their world and learn how to communicate in the Brahmin way.


What Are Their Needs?

High caste communities often have pride in their status, and pride is an enemy of faith.


Prayer Points

Brahmins are the key community who uphold Hinduism. Pray that the light of the gospel breaks through the veil that blinds this community.
Pray that the true God will reveal Himself to this community and use Brahmins to preach and teach about Jesus Christ.
Pray for a disciple making movement to flourish among every Brahmin community.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Radhi in Bangladesh.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengali_Brahmins
http://www.brahminpedia.com/2011/03/on-kulina-system-among-radhi-brahmins_22.html
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16521/BG
http://www.islamicvoice.com/january.97/feat5.htm


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Radhi
People Name in Country Brahmin Radhi
Natural Name Radhi Brahmin
Pronunciation RAH-dee BRAH-min
Alternate Names Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Rarhi; ब्रह्मन, ऋधि
Population this Country 51,000
Population all Countries 1,992,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19972
ROP3 Code 115753
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Dhaka
21,000
Khulna
6,900
Rangpur
6,900
Sylhet
6,800
Chittagong
5,200
Rajshahi
2,600
Barisal
2,200
Country Bangladesh
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 26  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 7
  Dhaka 21,000
  Khulna 6,900
  Rangpur 6,900
  Sylhet 6,800
  Chittagong 5,200
  Rajshahi 2,600
  Barisal 2,200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Bangladesh census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (45,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Sylheti
5,700
Chittagonian
300
Primary Language Bengali (45,000 speakers)
Language Code ben   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Sylheti 5,700
  Chittagonian 300
People Groups Speaking Bengali

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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