Nepalis are not defined by language, but by their citizenship and their allegiance to the nation state of Nepal. Though they have a trade language that has various names, you can't take one language and call it Nepali per se. In Nepal, people think in terms of their own language and ethnic identity, but in other countries, they are usually known simply as "Nepali."
The original "Nepalis" came hundreds of years ago from India, Tibet, and Central Asia. In prehistoric days a Hindu sage by the name of Ne established himself in the Kathmandu Valley, which has always been the center of Nepali civilization. He meditated and taught there. He was also the protector, or "pali" of this land. Thus, the term, Ne-pali began. This land is high in the Himalayan Mountains, north of India. They share the Hindu religion with their Indian neighbors. Though the vast majority of them live in Nepal, Nepalis have migrated to 26 countries including Germany. They live all over Germany, especially in the cities of Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Berlin.
Many Nepalis come to Germany as students or to join family members who already live there. Others go to Germany for political asylum or to escape Maoist rebels who have made life in Nepal difficult.
In 2006, Nepalis established the Himalayan Pariwar Munchen to strengthen ties between the diaspora in Germany with their homeland. They offer a sense of community, cultural events, help in times of need, both for Nepalis in Germany and for Nepal itself. They are especially involved with teaching children Nepali so they can stay connected with family members who only speak that language.
Nepalis are defined by their religion, Hinduism. Though there are many Tibetan Buddhist people in Nepal, these people are from other people groups, often Bhutanese. Nepali Hindus have the same caste system as Hindu Indian society.
Hinduism is a diverse religion which can involve devotion to one or two gods, or to many. The Vedas are the closest thing to sacred literature in Hinduism. Most Hindus in the Nepali diaspora look to their religion as a way to connect with others from South Asia.
Nepali Hindus need hearts that are open to having their spiritual needs fulfilled by none other than Jesus Christ, the only Savior.
Pray for German Christians to understand that God brought the Nepalis to their shores so they can experience the blessings of Jesus Christ.
Pray for Christian believers to reach out to these people who need a relationship with the only Savior.
Pray that God will open their hearts to Christian materials found on the Internet.
Pray that soon, Nepali Christians will be discipling those from other religious traditions.
Scripture Prayers for the Nepali, general in Germany.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepalis_in_Germany
https://himalayanpariwar.org/about
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Nepalis+in+Germany&mid=94F64C6757EEF06BCF9E94F64C6757EEF06BCF9E&FORM=VIRE
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
