Khawas Tharu in Nepal

The Khawas Tharu 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.

Introduction / History

The origin of Khawas Tharu people in Nepal is surrounded by myths and oral tradition. At one time they were bonded laborers. In 2000 bonded labor was classified as illegal in Nepal, however this people group still lack privileges that others enjoy.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Khawas Tharu people consider themselves people of the forest. They have lived in the forests for hundreds of years practicing a short fallow shifting cultivation. They plant rice, wheat, mustard, corn, and lentils, and collect forest products such as wild fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and materials to build their houses. They hunt deer, rabbits, and wild boar, and also fish in the rivers and lakes. They speak variants of Nepali. Khawas Tharu people traditionally lived in longhouses with big families of up to 31 members from four generations and between one and eight married couples. They pool their labor force, contribute their income, share the expenses, and use one kitchen. The eldest male person assumes responsibility for households. He assigns work to family members, is responsible for the family's social activities and must report income and expenses annually to the family.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Khawas Tharu people in Nepal practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods hoping to gain protection and benefits. They also practice animistic traditional beliefs, fearfully worshiping evil spirits that must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.


What Are Their Needs?

Their most important need is to know the living God who has provided payment of the penalty of their sins, and who loves them infinitely. Who will tell them? Written, visual, and audio Bible resources exist in their spoken language of Nepali, however they remain an unreached people group. They need practical helps like medical, educational and environmental aid. These needs are also potential doors for the gospel.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit-led disciples to enter the field of harvest among these people for whom Christ died and rose again. Pray that Khawas Tharu leaders would not only hear, but embrace the love of Father God, and tell their families of the eternal provision made for them. Pray that existing Bible resources will flow freely among this needy people, and that true spiritual hunger will grow and spread among their families resulting in a church planting movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Tharu Khawas in Nepal.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharu_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tharu Khawas
People Name in Country Tharu Khawas
Natural Name Khawas Tharu
Alternate Names तरू, खवास
Population this Country 1,800
Population all Countries 1,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 20779
ROP3 Code 117300
ROP25 Code 308118
ROP25 Name Tharu
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Gandaki
1,200
Lumbini
300
Bagmati
200
Sagarmatha
50
Narayani
20
Kosi
20
Seti
10
Janakpur
10
Bheri
10
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Gandaki 1,200
  Lumbini 300
  Bagmati 200
  Sagarmatha 50
  Narayani 20
  Kosi 20
  Seti 10
  Janakpur 10
  Bheri 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
1.97 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.03 %
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 Nepali (1,000 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Tharu, Kathariya
700
Tharu, Dangaura
10
Primary Language Nepali (1,000 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Tharu, Kathariya 700
  Tharu, Dangaura 10
People Groups Speaking Nepali

Primary Language:  Nepali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1850-1961)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1821-2010)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1914-2012)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Nepali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video New Way (Naya Goreto) Create International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  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.



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