INTRODUCTION:
A cluster of 6 tribes closely related to the Bengali. Most of the Bengali groups are easily defined by their common language, Bengali. However, there are several smaller tribes who are also referred to as Bengali, but speak languages other than Bengali. Their languages belong to the Assamese-Bengali sub-group of the Indo-Aryan language family and include these groups: the Hajong and Kishanganjia of India; the Hajong and Tajpuri of Bangladesh; and the Rajbansi and Kayort of Nepal.
The Tajpuri live in the plains of Rangpur, which is located in northern Bangladesh near the border of India.
WHAT ARE THEIR LIVES LIKE?
About 80% of the Bengali who live in India and Bangladesh are involved in some type of farming. Wet rice is their primary crop, and wheat and potatoes have also recently been added. Some have remarkable skills in weaving and embroidery. They make items that can be traded in the weekly markets.
Muslim invaders began conquering the Hindu regions of Bangladesh in the twelfth century. When many of the Bengali tribes were overrun in 1600-1700 A.D. by Muslims, they took refuge in the hills. They later returned and settled in the adjoining plains where most have continued to live.
The "clan system" was formerly unknown to the Tribal Bengali communities. However, when these tribes embraced Hinduism, they accepted the twelve clans associated with the Hindu castes.
The various Bengali tribes, like most other people groups of South Asia, have a clear division of labor. Regardless of a family's occupational specialty, the men do jobs that take place outside of the home, while the women are responsible for the tasks that can be performed inside the home. Among these tribes, land has always been individually owned. Small family farms, which are usually about one hectare in size (about 2.5 acres), are often sub-divided.
Most marriages in Bengali society are arranged. However, there are marked differences between the Hindu and Muslim wedding ceremonies. When mates are being chosen, caste and social rank are very important considerations. In rural areas, married couples almost always live with or near the groom's parents. The only exception to this practice is among the Tajpuri; and even they are gradually conforming. Most of the tribal Bengali communities have special dormitories where single young men live. This "house" is also used as a meeting place for the village elders. The racial origin of one Bengali tribe, the Tajpuri, is surrounded by much controversy. Although they claim to be the descendants of great kings, they belong to a matriarchal (female-dominated) society.
WHAT ARE THEIR BELIEFS?
In general, the various Bengali tribes are "Hinduized" religionists. Although they have adopted the Hindu caste system and the worship of millions of Hindu gods, they also continue to practice their ethnic religions. Only one Bengali tribe, the Tajpuri of Bangladesh, has a considerable number of Muslims (almost 30%). Nevertheless, they too, practice some of their ethnic beliefs alongside Islam.
The Bengali's tribal religions are based on the belief in a variety of village and household gods. The people also believe in life after death. Village elders are responsible for conducting the religious ceremonies.
Like other tribal groups, the Bengalis are animists, believing that the spirits of the gods live inside the mountains, the rivers, and the forests. Therefore, many objects in nature are worshipped. However, as they are becoming more and more educated, many are coming out of their world of superstition, animism, and magic.
WHAT ARE THEIR NEEDS?
The Scriptures are not yet available for the Tajpuri tribes. The Tajpuri report only one Christian brother among their population of 12,000! At the present time, their greatest need is to have the Gospel in their own language. Perhaps the second greatest need is for better education.
Because most of the tribal Bengalis are Hindu, they have been subject to much persecution and religious conflict. The groups living in Bangladesh comprise only a minority of the population (11.3%), and have also experienced great rejection and religious persecution. Those in India are viewed as refugees and are therefore treated as outcasts. These groups need to know the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE THE GOSPEL (COMMUNICATION
STRATEGY) TO THE TAJPURI:
To effectively communicate the gospel in the Tajpuri culture some of the important strategies are as follows: -
i. Establish a personal basis of friendship and acceptance with the people because they are a very hospitable people. It is always good to go if it is personally sponsored by some belonging to the village.
ii. It is very important to learn about the religion of the Tajpuri culture. Since they believe in the universal God and we can show them that God is not an alien God but he is GOD -THE CREATOR.We can show from the Bible some of the references:
As the Tajpuri believe that no one has seen God and we can agree with them but we can remind them from the scripture
'No one has seen God at any time, the only one begotten God (Jesus Christ) who is in the bosom of the Father has make Him known'-John1: 18
'And He (Jesus Christ) is the image of the Invisible God, the first born of all creation'- Col 1:15
iii. Learning of language is a very good communication strategy to spread the gospel to the Tajpuri. Cameron Downsend the founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators shares of his experience with an Indian at Guatamela who asked him, "If your God is smart, why can't he speak our language?" so learning of language is a most effective strategy.
iv. Education is another important tool for the furtherance of personalization.
v. Medical missions: work of rooting out the Tajpuri superstitions, belief and ideas, particularly relating to the ideas of demons. They say every sickness they tell it is of the devil, building of hospitals, rural health centers and medical center is a good strategy of spreading the gospel. They believe in evil spirits who brings sickness so instead of offering medicines they offer sacrifices so we do medical missions to this tribe i.e. by opening hospitals. Healing not only to cure the body but also to restore man for which he is created. Healing becomes a means to an end.
vi. If we are prepared for 'power encounter' it can be a very effective communication strategy for the spread of the gospel. We can demonstrate to the people that our God is powerful by demonstrating on the sick man.
Bishop J.W. Pickett, in his important study "Christ's way to India's Heart" says
"The process of extracting individuals from their setting in Hindu or Moslem communities does not build a Church. On the contrary it rouses antagonism against Christianity and builds barriers against the spread of the gospel...."
vii. We should have a positive attitude & approach to the Tajpuri religion & culture. We should show respect to their culture because some of the things like filial piety respect of old people living a holy life etc are some of the norms in the Tajpuri culture.
PRAYER POINTS
- v Take authority over the principalities and powers that have kept the tribal Bengali bound.
- v Ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth missionaries to live among the Bengali tribes.
- v Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.
- v Pray that the small number of Bengali Christians will be a light for the Gospel in these areas of spiritual darkness.
- v Ask God to raise up Christian schoolteachers to take the Gospel to these tribes.
- v Pray that Christian radio broadcasts, Bibles, and other literature will be made available to each of the Tribal Bengali groups.
- v Pray that God will begin revealing Himself to these precious tribes through dreams and visions.
- v Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Tribal Bengali by the year 2010.
( Prepared by Prabhat Thapa, Nepali Christian Fellowship, Laitumkhrah, Shillong-793003, Meghalaya, India. Phone: 91-364-2211241; 9436102491; E.mail: prareetav@yahoo.com
Mobile Number: 9436102491
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