Bari (Hindu traditions) 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

Bari of India are also called Rawat and Paanwale. In Bihar they are also called Donwar.

The Bari speak Awadhi in Uttar Pradesh, Marathi in Maharashtra, Bhojpuri in Bihar and Mewari in Rajasthan. They speak Hindi also in these states and read and write in Devanagari. Literacy is low, Maharashtra being the exception.


Where Are they Located?

They live in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and Rajasthan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They work as household servants in Madhya Pradesh. In the west of Maharashtra, most are growers of betel leaves. In Rajasthan they catch birds in the forest, make leaf plates and cups, reed seats, paper flowers and cages from wire. In Bihar they carry electric and gas lights at weddings. Most own no land, but work in agriculture. Many have small businesses such as pulling people in rickshaws, cart driving and tailoring. They live in city slums. Child labor is an issue in this culture.

Bari people do not eat beef because of their Hindu religion. They eat wheat, rice and lentils, fruit and vegetables. They drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and chew tobacco. They use local medicines however clinics are used for more serious matters.

Bari only marry in their community. There are many subdivisions. There are clans among them who look after marriage alliances. No one is allowed to marry within their clan. Marriages are mainly monogamous and are arranged by the elders of both of the families. There are both adult and child marriages. Divorce and remarriage are allowed, but not frequent. The dowry is given with goods. Women who are sterilized to avoid having larger families than they want.

The property of the parents goes equally to all the sons and the oldest son becomes the family leader.

Bari women help by taking additional work or helping their spouses with their businesses as well as doing the housework and looking after the children. Bari have community welfare associations.


They also celebrate a New Year festival called Makar Sankranti and here sesame seeds combined with jaggery (unrefined sugar) are exchanged among the Bari. They cremate their dead and the ashes are immersed in a river. If they can, they use the River Ganges, which is regarded as holy. Infants to the age of five years old are buried and there is a death pollution period, usually for twelve days with a feast at the end of it. They work as house servants.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bari are Hindus and worship most of the Hindu gods like Shiva, Vishnu and Rama. They also worship family and village gods and worship ancestors too. They celebrate Hindu festivals such as Holi, Diwali and Dusshera.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Bari (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Karen Hightower  

People Name General Bari (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bari (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation bah-DEE
Alternate Names Donwar; Panwala; Panwale; Panwali; Rawat; Soot; Sut; बरी (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 11,000
Population all Countries 763,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16334
ROP3 Code 111470
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
Janakpur
4,000
Lumbini
2,800
Bagmati
1,700
Narayani
800
Bheri
500
Sagarmatha
400
Kosi
200
Rapti
70
Seti
40
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Janakpur 4,000
  Lumbini 2,800
  Bagmati 1,700
  Narayani 800
  Bheri 500
  Sagarmatha 400
  Kosi 200
  Rapti 70
  Seti 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 Maithili (4,800 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Awadhi
2,300
Bhojpuri
1,800
Nepali
600
Primary Language Maithili (4,800 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Awadhi 2,300
  Bhojpuri 1,800
  Nepali 600
People Groups Speaking Maithili

Primary Language:  Maithili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010)
Bible-Complete No
Bible-NT Audio 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, audio, 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 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 Karen Hightower 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.