Jirel in Nepal

The Jirel have only been reported 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

This is a minority nationality having unique manners and customs. They call themselves Jiripa. The Jirels of eastern Nepal are both ethnically and linguistically related to both the Sherpas and Sunuwars. The language of Jirels is of Tibeto-Burman family. Jirels are the aboriginal inhabitants of Jiri and Jugu area of the Dolkha District. Their population is centered on the Jiri Valley. They believe that their origin arose because of trade between this region and the adjoining regions in Tibet.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Little is known about them, but their cultural affinities with Sunwars and Sherpas suggest that their culture is a form of the Bhoti culture. Their main form of subsistence is agro-pastoral production, combining the cultivation of wheat, barley, and maize, with the herding of goats and cattle. The newborn is christened on the third or seventh day of its birth by Lama or Jhakris (a kind of shamans). The cereal-feeding ceremony is held for son and daughter in the seventh or third month respectively. Their marriages are officiated by Jhakris and Lamas. Since Saturday and Monday are considered inauspicious for marriage ceremonies, they prefer other days of the week. The couple marries by consent. When the marriage procession reaches the house of the girl's parents the girl's side and the boy's side exchange a holy water pot. The marriage becomes complete when the boy and the girl drink local beer from the same vessel. Marriage within the same clan is not permitted. The corpse of the dead is washed cleanly and dressed in new clothes before burial. Some are cremated in the night of death. People dance the whole night while someone plays a small drum. At death ceremonies, a Buddhist tradition prevails. However, for many domestic ceremonies they call a Brahmin priest and adhere to the bramanical tradition. This strange mixture can be explained by their mixed ethnic origins. Jirels have 10 clans. If a Jirel marries a woman from another tribe, he should ask for forgiveness from members of his own tribe and should feed them by organizing a feast. The level of education among Jirels is very low.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Jirels practice Tibetan Buddhism and have their own lamas. There is a Sherpa Buddhist monastery and a Jirel monastery in the valley. Like other ethnic groups, the Jirel's religious beliefs include elements derived from Hinduism, as well as shamanistic practices. Jirel shamanistic practices are similar to their activities elsewhere in eastern Nepal. They worship the Bhote god in Chaitra and Mangsir so that the god of rivers does not cause any illnesses.


What Are Their Needs?

The Jirel people need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Jirel people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among them to begin this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Jirel in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jirel
People Name in Country Jirel
Pronunciation gee-rhee-EL
Alternate Names Jiri; Jirial; Jiripa; Jirpa; Walung; Zaral; Ziral; Zirial; जिरेल
Population this Country 6,600
Population all Countries 6,600
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 17015
ROP3 Code 104283
ROP25 Code 303399
ROP25 Name Jirel
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country They inhabit the Jiri and Sikri valleys in the Dolakha District of Janakpur Zone. The largest of their 22 villages are Jiri and Jugu.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States on file 10
Largest States
Janakpur
5,300
Bagmati
1,000
Sagarmatha
60
Narayani
60
Gandaki
50
Mechi
50
Karnali
40
Bheri
20
Rapti
20
Kosi
20
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country They inhabit the Jiri and Sikri valleys in the Dolakha District of Janakpur Zone. The largest of their 22 villages are Jiri and Jugu..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States 10
  Janakpur 5,300
  Bagmati 1,000
  Sagarmatha 60
  Narayani 60
  Gandaki 50
  Mechi 50
  Karnali 40
  Bheri 20
  Rapti 20
  Kosi 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
52.10 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
4.38 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
43.52 %
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 Jirel (4,900 speakers)
Language Code jul   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Nepali
800
Primary Language Jirel (4,900 speakers)
Language Code jul   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Nepali 800
People Groups Speaking Jirel

Primary Language:  Jirel

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1977-1989)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1992)
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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