Tharu unspecified 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 Tharu have lived quiet, simple lives for four centuries. About two thirds live in Nepal and the rest live further south in India's Uttar Pradesh state.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are a gentle people. They make almost everything they use themselves, with a touch of art in everything. They have their own gods and follow a Bharra (shaman). Besides the Bharra, who treats their diseases, the village headman, bhalamansa, and the Desi-Mahajan—a moneylender—are important people within the village. They are becoming more aware of outside issues and fireside chat in the evenings is becoming more outward focused, reflecting changes in their culture.


They are becoming more aware of outside issues, and fireside chats in the evenings are becoming more outwardly focused, reflecting changes in their culture.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Tharu people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India and Nepal. 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 in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tharu speak several languages and are spread over a wide area of Nepal.


Prayer Points

Pray for the gentle Tharu people to be protected from those who would take advantage of them.
Pray they will be able to care adequately for their families.
There are a few Christians among the Tharu community. Pray they will become true disciples, moving beyond mere cultural identification with Christ. Pray for the gift of conviction of sin, and for zealous hearts to really know and follow Christ.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving ambassadors of Christ to this unreached community.


Scripture Prayers for the Tharu unspecified in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tharu
People Name in Country Tharu unspecified
Pronunciation TAH-roo
Alternate Names Kathoriya; Kathoriya Tharu; Mahatos; Mahatu; Tharu Rana; थारू
Population this Country 1,774,000
Population all Countries 2,314,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 35
People ID 15464
ROP3 Code 110011
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 14
Largest States
Seti
323,000
Bheri
310,000
Lumbini
253,000
Narayani
213,000
Rapti
165,000
Kosi
153,000
Sagarmatha
125,000
Mahakali
116,000
Janakpur
37,000
Bagmati
27,000
Mechi
11,000
Gandaki
4,100
Dhaulagiri
600
Karnali
500
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 14
  Seti 323,000
  Bheri 310,000
  Lumbini 253,000
  Narayani 213,000
  Rapti 165,000
  Kosi 153,000
  Sagarmatha 125,000
  Mahakali 116,000
  Janakpur 37,000
  Bagmati 27,000
  Mechi 11,000
  Gandaki 4,100
  Dhaulagiri 600
  Karnali 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.72 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
3.41 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
95.67 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.20 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tharu, Dangaura (790,000 speakers)
Language Code thl   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Tharu, Kathariya
706,000
Nepali
162,000
Tharu, Central
32,000
Bhojpuri
25,000
Maithili
20,000
Dotyali
2,000
Sonha
600
Rawat
500
Hindi
300
Bantawa
200
Musasa
90
Chamling
80
Majhi
70
Nepalese Sign Language
30
Thangmi
Primary Language Tharu, Dangaura (790,000 speakers)
Language Code thl   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 17
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Tharu, Kathariya 706,000
  Nepali 162,000
  Tharu, Central 32,000
  Bhojpuri 25,000
  Maithili 20,000
  Dotyali 2,000
  Sonha 600
  Rawat 500
  Hindi 300
  Bantawa 200
  Musasa 90
  Chamling 80
  Majhi 70
  Nepalese Sign Language 30
  Thangmi 10
People Groups Speaking Tharu, Dangaura
Photo Source Anonymous 
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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