Wancho in India

The Wancho have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Wancho is one of the Naga tribes of northeastern India. They speak the Wancho dialect.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Agriculture is the backbone of the Wancho economy. They rotate plots of land to maintain soil fertility and ecological balance. They raise livestock and fish for their protein supply. Wood carving and beadwork supplement their incomes.

Traditional Wancho homes were made from bamboo with thatched roofs, but they are using modern materials today.

Their families are male-dominated, with inheritance going through the father’s side of the family. Community centers are replacing their traditional bachelor dormitories. These serve as places for young men to learn about customs, responsibilities, and values of the Wanchos.

Wanchos love tattoos. Men are tattooed over their limbs and faces. Their women have lighter tattoos that are enhanced by elaborate jewelry.

Each spring, the Oriah festival is celebrated with dancing, singing, animal sacrifices, and feasting. It is a celebration of their agricultural cycle. People exchange rice beer with their friends during this and other festivals.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Wancho traditional beliefs involved headhunting, which Christianity has curtailed. Most are either Baptist or Roman Catholic. However, marginal Christianity is common.


What Are Their Needs?

Wancho villages still rely on medical clinics from distant health centers, with no public transport available. Their remoteness also makes education challenging, although this is improving.


Prayer Items

Pray for hundreds to be raised up with a defiant faith in Christ, one that will not be shaken no matter what comes their way.
Pray for God to bring about his purpose for the Wancho people.
Pray for Christians to have love, joy, peace, and patience as they tell others about the King of kings.
Pray for a mighty Holy Spirit revival to permeate their families and churches, drawing them into greater love for God and for their neighbors.


Scripture Prayers for the Wancho in India.


References

AI generated by Copilot


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Wancho
People Name in Country Wancho
Alternate Names Konyak; Tangjan; Tsarjan; वंछो
Population this Country 66,000
Population all Countries 66,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18328
ROP3 Code 113878
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Arunachal Pradesh
65,000
Nagaland
1,600
Assam
10
Uttar Pradesh
10
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Arunachal Pradesh 65,000
  Nagaland 1,600
  Assam 10
  Uttar Pradesh 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.30 %
Christianity
89.59 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
8.84 %
Islam
0.37 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.05 %
Unknown
0.84 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Naga, Wancho (61,000 speakers)
Language Code nnp   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 21
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Naga, Nocte
3,900
Naga, Tangshang
60
Adi
30
Assamese
20
Hindi
20
Naga, Phom
10
Nyishi
10
English
10
Odia
Malayalam Naga, Lotha Vaiphei
Digaro-Mishmi Nepali Naga, Zeme
Primary Language Naga, Wancho (61,000 speakers)
Language Code nnp   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 21
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Naga, Nocte 3,900
  Naga, Tangshang 60
  Adi 30
  Assamese 20
  Hindi 20
  Naga, Phom 10
  Nyishi 10
  English 10
  Odia 10
  Malayalam 10
  Naga, Lotha 10
  Vaiphei 10
  Digaro-Mishmi 0
  Nepali 0
  Naga, Zeme 0
People Groups Speaking Naga, Wancho

Primary Language:  Naga, Wancho

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2002)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2012)
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Naga, Wancho YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Naga, Wancho YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.