Chain in Bangladesh

Chain
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Chain
Country: Bangladesh
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 25,000
World Population: 643,000
Primary Language: Bengali
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Chain are mainly a landowning community. Agriculture is their traditional and primary occupation.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Shell (sankha) bangles and vermilion are the symbols of married women. An Agradani or Kantaha Brahmin officiates as a priest during ceremonial rituals.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chain people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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 Chain people need to be freed from spiritual opposition that blinds them to the glory of Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray for workers among the Chain people in Bangladesh and India. Pray for Chain leaders to become spiritually open to the ways of Jesus Christ. There are no known followers of Christ within the Chain community in Bangladesh. Pray they will encounter believers in their interactions outside of the group, who will be lead to share the Gospel with them. Pray the Chain community will be able to prepare their children for productive lives, with good schools available.

Text Source:   Joshua Project