Dura in Nepal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Identity

Approximately 5,000 Dura people inhabit the Lamjun District in the Gandakhi Zone of central Nepal. According to the respected contemporary linguist George van Driem, 'Their homeland comprises all the territory between the Paudi and Midim rivers and encompasses the ridge which runs from Dura Dada proper via Turlunkot.... The Dura homeland affords splendid views of Lamjun Himal, Annapurna II and IV, the eastern flank of Machapucchre and Manaslu.' These peaks represent some of the highest mountains in the world, with Annapurna II rising to 7,937 metres (26,033 ft.).


History

The Dura were originally a group with their own Tibeto-Burman language. According to one source, 'Roundfaced, flat-nosed and short in stature, Duras have their own unique traditions and culture though their religious and cultural formalities are quite akin to Gurungs. Their sons are fitted with bows and arrows on the very day of their naming ceremonies, a fact that reflects on their martial heritage. '

The Dura are believed to have originated in Dullu Dailekh to the west. They migrated to their present location at various stages between the 8th and 12th centuries AD. At the time they had a far larger population than they do today. Over the course of the centuries the Dura area has been inundated with Hindus from the south. Gradually they lost the use of their mother tongue and now the Dura can only speak Nepali although, as van Driem notes, 'There are Dura who still remember bits and pieces of the language.' Concerted efforts have been made to try to record as much of the Dura language as possible, including a list of more than 200 words, but these seem destined for historical use only. Despite the loss of their language, the Dura remain a proud and unique people. Another part of their identity that is presently undergoing a process of assimilation is their religious belief. For centuries, Buddhism played the dominant role in Dura spiritual life. They lived at the southern end of the Tibetan Buddhist world, but after centuries of pressure from Hindu migrants, many of the Dura's Buddhist practices have now been subsumed into a complicated Hindu- Buddhist mix. The Dura worship many Hindu deities alongside images of Buddha.


Religion

The Dura still have lamas who serve the community's Buddhist needs, and most of their birth and funeral rituals are Buddhist in nature. When someone dies, a lama is summoned to 'perform the last rites and they do not do anything without their presence or permission '. It is noteworthy that the Dura go back to their Buddhist roots at times of death. On other important occasions, however, Hindu rituals are performed, especially matrimonial rituals that have been adopted from the Nepalis.


Christianity

For more than a thousand years the Dura have been waiting to hear the gospel. In recent years a very small number have believed in Christ, but most of this fascinating group have yet to hear the good news.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Dura in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2007-08-04
People Name General Dura
People Name in Country Dura
Alternate Names Duraj; Durra; दूरा
Population this Country 6,100
Population all Countries 9,800
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16753
ROP3 Code 112001
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Approximately 5,000 Dura people inhabit the Lamjun District in the Gandakhi Zone of central Nepal.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Gandaki
5,000
Narayani
600
Bagmati
300
Lumbini
20
Kosi
10
Seti
10
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Approximately 5,000 Dura people inhabit the Lamjun District in the Gandakhi Zone of central Nepal..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States 6
  Gandaki 5,000
  Narayani 600
  Bagmati 300
  Lumbini 20
  Kosi 10
  Seti 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
43.99 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
3.06 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
52.85 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.09 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Nepali (3,100 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Dura
2,100
Primary Language Nepali (3,100 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Dura 2,100
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)
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
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, audio, video Faith Comes by Hearing
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
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
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Nepali Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Jai Dura 
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.