Machhi Mitna in India

The Machhi Mitna have only been reported 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 Machhi Mitna are an indigenous people who live in the western Indian states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The word "Machhi" means fish. Their main occupation is fishing. The Machhi were originally hunter-gatherers who came to live in permanent villages in recent times. Some Machhi became Muslims during the period of the Mughals and are known as Machiyar today.

The main languages of the Machhi Mitna are Gujarati and Marathi. Many Christian resources are available in both languages including complete Bibles and the JESUS Film.


Where Are they Located?

The Machhi Mitna people live in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat states in western India mostly in villages along the coast of the Arabian Sea.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Fishing in in the Arabian Sea is the primary livelihood of most Machhi men. They go out daily in small boats carrying three to four men. The fish they catch they sell to other castes, who in turn sell the fish in markets. The Machhi men make the boats and nets they use in their trade. If fishing is bad, the Machhi can starve.

Most Machhi adults are illiterate or functionally illiterate. Their children often leave school early to help their parents make a living. Women take care of the home and work in the fields. A caste counsel deal with legal disputes and promote Machhi interests.

The Machhi marry within their group, often within their clan. Cousins frequently marry their cousins. Sons inherit most property but a man's widow does receive a fraction of her late husband's wealth.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Machhi practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon and the spirits who inhabit nature. 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 Machhi 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 like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Machhi 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Machhi need help in educating their children and overcoming the adult illiteracy problem. Their villages often lack access to modern medicine, electricity and indoor plumbing. They Machhi need to learn new job skills, which can bring them out of poverty. Most of all, the Machhi need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and get them right with the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Pray that believers in western Indian would reach out and share the gospel with the Machhi.
Pray for Machhi families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and his finished work.
Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His Gospel among the Machhi people.


Scripture Prayers for the Machhi Mitna in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17502/IN
https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=49623


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Machhi Mitna
People Name in Country Machhi Mitna
Alternate Names Kharva; Kharvi; Machhi; Mitna Machi; Mitra; मच्ची मिटना
Population this Country 22,000
Population all Countries 22,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 21185
ROP3 Code 118008
ROP25 Code 304885
ROP25 Name Macchi
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 3
Largest States
Maharashtra
12,000
Gujarat
9,700
Daman and Diu
200
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 3
  Maharashtra 12,000
  Gujarat 9,700
  Daman and Diu 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 India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Gujarati (16,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Marathi
2,000
Konkani
600
Hindi
100
Primary Language Gujarati (16,000 speakers)
Language Code guj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Marathi 2,000
  Konkani 600
  Hindi 100
People Groups Speaking Gujarati

Primary Language:  Gujarati

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1809-1965)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1985)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1823-2021)
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 Online Scripture / Bible General / Other
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
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 Gujarati Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Gujarati YouVersion Bibles
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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