Bantar 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

Most of the Bantars live in the Terai region of Nepal. They also live in Chitwan and other regions of Nepal. They emigrated from some Indian regions. They are farmers and laborers. They have a low literacy level (the need for the gospel in oral form here). They are a male dominated society and are a Scheduled Caste.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are a peaceable people and are a long way off from modern society. They usually have houses with one floor and their houses are made of bamboo, wood, soil and jute straw. They use either tiles or tin for their roofs. They have a place in front of their homes for evening rest and to get the agricultural products ready. The Bantars sleep on the floors as they are clean and have much respect for guests.
The women do the housework. If they do not give birth to a son when married, the husband can marry again. The daughters do the housework at an early age and go to work on farms as well. If a girl likes a boy, she can marry by going to the house of the boy. This is called Ghardhuki Pratha. Usually there is agreement between the boy and girl and days later the close members get together, have a feast and there is a marriage ceremony. Rituals are performed and so they are accepted.
Usually, Ghardhuki marriage is done by unmarried girls and widows. The girls are allowed to select their marriage partner. Discrimination among men and women is lessening. Child marriages do not happen much these days. Marriages away from their community are allowed but are not favored like arranged marriages are.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bantar being Hindus worship Hindu gods and goddesses and have their own traditional deities as well. They worship nature like the sun and moon and have feasts and festivals. When ill they usually go to a witch doctor.
When a death takes place, the Bantar believe that if the traditional rites and rituals are performed correctly the deceased person will go to heaven. Some Bantars bury their dead, while others burn the dead body in a pyre. When the body becomes ash, the people who are present are expected to bathe and go home offering firewood.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bantar people need to be given the chance to hear and respond to the promises of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Bantars and other Hindus discover that rites and rituals do not please God.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out dedicated workers to the Bantar people.
Pray for the Lord to bring about a movement to Christ among them soon.


Scripture Prayers for the Bantar in Nepal.


References

snsardar.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/bantar-community-in-nepal.html


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bantar
People Name in Country Bantar
Alternate Names बांतर
Population this Country 64,000
Population all Countries 225,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16325
ROP3 Code 111459
ROP25 Code 300855
ROP25 Name Bantar
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Narayani, Janakpur, and Koshi zones.   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States on file 13
Largest States
Kosi
39,000
Sagarmatha
19,000
Janakpur
4,200
Narayani
1,000
Bagmati
300
Bheri
200
Mechi
100
Lumbini
60
Seti
30
Mahakali
20
Gandaki
20
Dhaulagiri
20
Rapti
20
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Narayani, Janakpur, and Koshi zones..   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States 13
  Kosi 39,000
  Sagarmatha 19,000
  Janakpur 4,200
  Narayani 1,000
  Bagmati 300
  Bheri 200
  Mechi 100
  Lumbini 60
  Seti 30
  Mahakali 20
  Gandaki 20
  Dhaulagiri 20
  Rapti 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
1.71 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.15 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.15 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Maithili (52,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Angika
1,700
Bhojpuri
1,000
Nepali
600
Awadhi
200
Hindi
100
Magahi
30
Kumaoni
20
Primary Language Maithili (52,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Angika 1,700
  Bhojpuri 1,000
  Nepali 600
  Awadhi 200
  Hindi 100
  Magahi 30
  Kumaoni 20
People Groups Speaking Maithili

Primary Language:  Maithili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010)
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 Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Maithili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Maithili Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024