Dolpa in Nepal

The Dolpa have only been reported in Nepal
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Identity

A few thousand Dolpo people live in the Karnali Zone in north-west Nepal, all the way up to the border between Nepal and China. This has led some to speculate that the Dolpo may also be found inside Tibet. The Dolpo inhabit the villages of 'Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara, Laun, Chilpara, Bantari and Byas ... beyond the mountains west of the upper Kali Gandaki River valley.... [The Dolpo] live in about 24 villages scattered over 500 sq. miles in Namgang, Panzgang, Tarap and Chharbung subdistricts.' Dolpo people also live within the Dhawalagiri Zone, west of the Loba people. The name Dolpo comes from Dolpa—the historical name for their area.

Most Dolpo people these days have settled down in permanent villages, but some continue to lead a nomadic existence, travelling around with their herds ten months every year. The Dolpo villages are situated between 3,660 and 4,720 metres (12,000 to 15,500 ft.) above sea level. 'The terrain is rather bare, with almost treeless grassland valleys, which take on a colourful luster in July and August with a carpet of bright alpine flowers. The rough stone houses of Dolpo are all clustered into a narrow space, making the villages look like forts. Some of them are probably among the highest human settlements in the world.' The Dolpo say it takes seven days to walk from one end of their region to the other.


History

There seems little doubt that the ancestors of the Dolpo originated in Tibet, before coming south in search of better pastures. They have been in Nepal now for many centuries, although they still retain many of their traditional customs and oral legends of their long migration. The Dolpo are regarded as the original inhabitants of their region.


Customs

Severe winter temperatures have made the Dolpo a hardy people. Their houses are built with no windows at all, as every inch of insulation helps them survive the brutal weather. Ceilings are built low to the ground to retain warmth. Cattle and other animals are housed in the ground floor during the winter months.


Religion

Tibetan Buddhism and Bon exist harmoniously side by side among the Dolpo. Buddhist and Bon lamas often combine their duties. 'Not only do these lamas handle the religious works and celebrations of the community, but they also act as faith-healers in times of sickness. Without the direction of the lama, these people neither perform any big ceremonies, nor go on journeys and in fact do not decide on anything at all. '


Christianity

In the mid-1990s a missionary organization noted, 'This group is totally untouched with the gospel. They still have no written language or Christian literature. There are no known Dolpo believers. In order for a church to be established within this people group, there must be a movement starting with the village leaders and working down from there. Because of their culture, it will do little good for a few individuals or young people to accept Christ.' Since that time a few Dolpo people are known to have started following Christ, but this group remains in great need of the gospel.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Dolpa in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Dolpa
People Name in Country Dolpa
Pronunciation dohl-PAH
Alternate Names Dhopa; Dolpa Tibetan; Dolpali; Dolpali Bhote; Dolpo Bhotia; Gurung; Kaikhe; Phoke Dolpa; डोल्पा, डोल्पा टिबेटन
Population this Country 4,800
Population all Countries 4,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11595
ROP3 Code 102678
ROP25 Code 302152
ROP25 Name Dolpa Tibetan
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Approximately 10,000 Dolpo people live in the Kamali Zone in north-west Nepal, all the way up the border between Nepal and China. This has lead some to speculate the Dolpo may also be found inside Tibet. The Dolpo inhabit the villages of Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara, Laun, Chilpara, Bantari and Byas...beyond the mountains west of the upper Kali Gandaki River valley.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States on file 2
Largest States
Karnali
4,700
Bagmati
60
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Approximately 10,000 Dolpo people live in the Kamali Zone in north-west Nepal, all the way up the border between Nepal and China. This has lead some to speculate the Dolpo may also be found inside Tibet. The Dolpo inhabit the villages of Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara, Laun, Chilpara, Bantari and Byas...beyond the mountains west of the upper Kali Gandaki River valley..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States 2
  Karnali 4,700
  Bagmati 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
96.71 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
1.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
2.19 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Sherpa (2,100 speakers)
Language Code xsr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Dolpo
1,700
Kham, Western Parbate
400
Nepali
Primary Language Sherpa (2,100 speakers)
Language Code xsr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Dolpo 1,700
  Kham, Western Parbate 400
  Nepali 10
People Groups Speaking Sherpa
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Create International  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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