The name Gaddi is said to have come from the word Gaderan which is a term used in Himachal Pradesh for the 'local hilly regions '. Traditionally the people trace their origin to the Muslim invasion of Pakistan and north India. They understand that they lived in the Punjab region and took refuge in the highland ranges.
The Gaddi today live across much of northern India, Nepal and Pakistan. Although the larger Gaddi populations in India used to be a scheduled tribe they are no longer.
The Gaddis have a strong tradition of living in mountainous areas and working in animal husbandry and selling dairy products. They also have a tradition of landowning and some as nomadic herdsmen. Today many continue in milk selling, animal husbandry and agriculture, but in Nepal their smaller communities can be found in any number of labor jobs or small businesses. Fewer Gaddis are using the Gaddi language but appear to prefer Nepali and Urdu or Bhojpuri as a means of communication in Nepal. Some of the Gaddi traditional clothes and head covering like the khadi (cap) and chalu (robe) are much less common today.
The Gaddi people are officially Sunni Muslim. Like most Muslims in South Asia, their Islamic practices are tainted by Hinduism.
As sellers and tradesmen, the Gaddi could be an excellent bridge of the gospel into many other Muslim groups. There are no known Christ followers among them in Nepal. Few Christians have ever met a Gaddi Muslim.
Pray that God will send culturally-sensitive missionaries who will show them the way to the cross.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement to flourish among this people group soon.
Pray for the Gaddi people to be blessed with peace, joy and spiritual prosperity as they follow Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Gaddi (Muslim traditions) in Nepal.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Gaddi (Muslim traditions) |
People Name in Country | Gaddi (Muslim traditions) |
Pronunciation |
GUT-dee
|
Alternate Names | Gadolli; Goala; Pahari Bharmauri; Rathi; गद्दी |
Population this Country | 1,200 |
Population all Countries | 565,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 16770 |
ROP3 Code | 112023 |
ROP25 Code | 302484 |
ROP25 Name | Gaddi |
Country | Nepal | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||||||
Total States on file | 5 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 5 |
Bheri 600 | |
Lumbini 300 | |
Narayani 200 | |
Seti 50 | |
Bagmati 30 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Urdu (600 speakers) | |||
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Urdu (600 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 200 | |
Gaddi 80 | |
Awadhi 50 | |
People Groups | Speaking Urdu |
Primary Language: Urdu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1747-1894) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1758-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1843-2022) |
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 |
Photo Source | Rajesh Balouria - Pixabay |
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. |