People group profile · PG047908
The Mali (Gujarati) of India
The Mali (Gujarati) of India, numbering about 128,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a large traditional horticultural and gardening community found across much of India, especially in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and parts of eastern India.
They are an indigenous people in the Mali people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Gujarati.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 128,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Mali
- Primary language
- Gujarati (guj)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC ?
- Less than 2% Evangelical, Concentrated CP Activity
- Lostness priority ?
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Gujarat: both shores of Gulf of Khambhat; Maharashtra: Nandubar and Nashil districts; Rajasthan: Jalor and Sirohi districts; Daman and Diu Union Territory
Where they live
Gospel status
The Mali (Gujarati) are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical but there has been initial or concentrated church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting
Next steps for the Mali (Gujarati)
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
100% adherents
Primary language
Gujarati · Indo-European family
100% speak Gujarati
Gospel resources in Gujarati
- Bible available, published 2021
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 1997 Bible League International · text
- Gujarati New India Bible · video
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Mali (Gujarati)
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 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.
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