Chakhesang in India

The Chakhesang 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

Chakhesangs are one of the Naga tribes of northeastern India. The name "Chakhesang" is an acronym derived from three subgroups: Chokri, Khezha, and Sangtam. They speak Chokri Naga.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Chakhesangs are subsistence farmers who grow rice, beans, corn, millet, and vegetables. They get their meat from chickens, from hunting, and fishing. The latter two are becoming less available due to environmental limitations. They earn cash by selling handmade bamboo and cane goods. Women make and sell woven goods.

Families arrange marriages through negotiations between family leaders. They must not marry someone from their own clan. Wedding ceremonies include singing, dancing, and feasting. Everyone in the village participates. Their wedding practices changed when they became Christian.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally animistic, most are now Christian, especially Baptist.


What Are Their Needs?

Chakhesangs need education so they can get higher-paying jobs. Their youth are migrating to cities, hoping to find better job opportunities, but they find their prospects are limited by attending rural schools.


Prayer Items

Pray for the Holy Spirit to do mighty works in Chakesang churches and families, spurring them on to love and good works.
Pray for their churches to send missionaries to Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists.
Pray for the Lord to provide them with the education they need to weather changes in the 21st century.


Scripture Prayers for the Chakhesang in India.


References

AI generated.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chakhesang
People Name in Country Chakhesang
Alternate Names Cakhesan; Chakrima; Chokri Naga; चख़ेसंग
Population this Country 180,000
Population all Countries 180,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16562
ROP3 Code 111753
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 6
Largest States
Nagaland
175,000
Assam
1,600
Arunachal Pradesh
200
West Bengal
100
Rajasthan
60
Madhya Pradesh
20
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 6
  Nagaland 175,000
  Assam 1,600
  Arunachal Pradesh 200
  West Bengal 100
  Rajasthan 60
  Madhya Pradesh 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.21 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
99.26 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.15 %
Islam
0.27 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.02 %
Unknown
0.09 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Naga, Chokri (105,000 speakers)
Language Code nri   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 59
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Naga, Khezha
43,000
Naga, Mao
5,300
Naga, Pochuri
1,000
Naga, Angami
500
Chin, Thado
500
Naga, Sumi
400
Naga, Ao
300
Hindi
300
Naga, Chang
200
Assamese
100
Naga, Lotha
100
Bengali
100
Mundari
100
Nepali
60
Naga, Tangkhul (India)
60
Primary Language Naga, Chokri (105,000 speakers)
Language Code nri   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 59
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Naga, Khezha 43,000
  Naga, Mao 5,300
  Naga, Pochuri 1,000
  Naga, Angami 500
  Chin, Thado 500
  Naga, Sumi 400
  Naga, Ao 300
  Hindi 300
  Naga, Chang 200
  Assamese 100
  Naga, Lotha 100
  Bengali 100
  Mundari 100
  Nepali 60
  Naga, Tangkhul (India) 60
People Groups Speaking Naga, Chokri

Primary Language:  Naga, Chokri

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2015)
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Naga, Chokri Jesus Film Project
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, Chokri YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Naga, Chokri YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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.