Home Peo...People Groups Na
/ in All India
Na in India PRINT VERSION:
The Na have only been reported in India
★ This people group's population is unknown or estimated to be extremely small. This people group may have assimilated into larger surrounding groups and may no longer be recognizable as a distinct group. To ensure every people group is represented, Joshua Project includes unknown and very small population people groups until on-site research determines they do not exist. More info at Small People Group Policy. ★
Photo Source: Copyrighted © 2022 Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission
Unknown (84.21%)
15.79% *
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Map Source: People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
The Na ethnic group live in the Gumsing, Taying, Esnaya, Lingbing, Tongla, Yeja, Reding, Redi and Dadu villages of the Taksing Circle in the Upper Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The Na area—which is lined with beautiful pine trees—is situated at an altitude of 2,300 metres (7,500 ft.) above sea level. The Subansiri River, known locally as the Nyrsi, flows through the western part of their habitation. Because of the high altitude, the Na area is cold all year round.
The 1981 Indian census did not list a separate population for the Na, but in 1995 a Na village headman stated that there were 978 people in the community. The earlier 1971 census did have a category for the Na, but they returned a figure of only 238 people.
The Na say that their progenitor was a god named Shiju. 'As stated by the people themselves, there was a placed called Lung in the north, which is at a distance of three to four days by foot from Taksing. The Chadar clan of the community first migrated to Taksing and settled there. They were followed by other people via the Sarli route.'
After arriving in their present location in India the Na were oppressed by the Tibetans, who objected to them leaving Tibet. This may suggest that the Na were formerly serfs of the Tibetans, before they fled to safety. 'It was the Nishings who took the initiative to bring about amity between the Tibetans and the Nas. Consequently the Nas even started barter trade with the Tibetans. '
The Na language falls within the Tani branch of the Tibeto-Burman family. It is related to Tagin, a language spoken by more than 30,000 people in Arunachal Pradesh. The Na speak their language in their own villages, but they use Hindi to communicate with outsiders. Some of the educated Na are able to speak English.
Although all Na people claim that they follow Tibetan Buddhism, their religious practices seem more akin to shamanism and spirit appeasement than to orthodox Buddhism. One source notes, 'They worship various spirits at home. The nyibu (shaman) is called for the rituals. One of their prominent deities is called Yulo. Earlier lamas were also called to drive away evil spirits by reading the chhu (sacred prayers) from the Buddhist scriptures. The Nas visit the monastery at least once a week for prayers. The lamas are now called for religious functions and festivals. '
Almost every part of Na society is strongly influenced by these Buddhist shamanist beliefs and practices. Even when selecting a partner for marriage, the Na summon a shaman to perform divination to determine whether the match will be blessed by the spirits. 'The final selection of the groom and bride depends on confirmation through the divination of eggs and chicken liver.' The shaman kills a chicken and inspects the lines and patterns on the liver. He is supposed to be able to predict the future by these signs.
There are no known Christians among the Na people. Their remote area has experienced very little gospel witness throughout history. A recent source states that there are 975 Christians out of a total population of 50,086 in the Upper Subansiri District, but most of these Christians are from the Adi and Tagin people groups.
Scripture Prayers for the Na in India.
Profile Source: Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission
People Name General Na
People Name in Country Na
Population this Country 100
Population all Countries 100
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
Alternate Names Nah; Na-Tagin; Nga; ना
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Tribal - other
People Group Na
Ethnic Code CNN25
Region Asia, South
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country They live in nine villages of the Taksing Circle in the Upper Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh. Source: Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Location in Country They live in nine villages of the Taksing Circle in the Upper Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh.. Source: Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States 1
Arunachal Pradesh 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Language Na (100 speakers)
Language Code nbt Ethnologue Listing
People Groups Speaking Na
Primary Language: Na
Bible Translation Status: Translation Started
Primary Religion: Unknown
Percent *
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown)
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2022 Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest All rights reserved. Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
Profile Source Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest Copyrighted © Used with permission