People group profile · PG046150
The Santal (Magahi) of India
The Santal (Magahi) of India, numbering about 546,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are one of the largest Indigenous tribal (Adivasi) peoples of India. Santal identity is centered on village life, agriculture, clan organization, nature-based religious traditions, rich musical and dance heritage, and a strong sense of ethnic distinctiveness.
They are an indigenous people in the Munda-Santal people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Magahi.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 546,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Munda-Santal
- Primary language
- Magahi (mag)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC ?
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority ?
- Minimally Reached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Bihar: Bhagalpur and Munger districts; Jharkhand: Hazaribagh and Manbhum districts; Odisha: Balasore district; West Bengal: Bankura and Birbhum districts; Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura states
Where they live
Gospel status
The Santal (Magahi) are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting
Next steps for the Santal (Magahi)
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Gospel resources in Magahi
- Bible available, published 2016
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories available
Films
- JESUS (Magahi)
Bibles
- 2014 Asian Sahyogi Sanstha India Gorakhpur, (U.P.) · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Santal (Magahi)
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
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