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.
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.
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.
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. '
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.
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
Primary Language: Sherpa
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1975-2008) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2014-2015) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Sherpa | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
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: Sherpa | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Sherpa | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | The Ancient Path | Live Global |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 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. |