Khatwa in Nepal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction

The Khatwa labor in fields and paddies to grow maize, wheat and rice. The monogamous marriages of the Khatwa are arranged by family leaders. There is no divorce, but widows and widowers may marry again. Sons inherit the family property after the death of the father, with the oldest son taking charge of the family estate. Nepal is the most religious Hindu country in the world, home to the famous Pashupatinath Temple, which is revered as the abode of Lord Shiva. In 1990 the introduction of multi-party democracy gave Christians the opportunity to come in to Nepal. The Church has grown steadily, but in 2015, evangelistic activities became limited by an article in the constitution that forbids conversion from one religion to another.


Ministry Obstacles

In Nepal, only about one in a thousand have made a profession of faith. Christ is compelling, but few have heard the gospel.


Prayer Focus

Pray the Lord will give Khatwa families understanding and responsive hearts as they hear about the love of Christ from broken-hearted disciples for whom we are also praying.
Pray for the Khatwa to be delivered from their fear of “Christianity” and to begin their own movement to Christ based on knowledge of him.


Scripture Prayers for the Khatwa in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Khatwa
People Name in Country Khatwa
Pronunciation KAHT-wah
Alternate Names Katua; Katwa; Khatbe; Khatwe; ख़टवा
Population this Country 118,000
Population all Countries 425,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 17185
ROP3 Code 112541
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 9
Largest States
Sagarmatha
60,000
Janakpur
46,000
Kosi
9,500
Narayani
1,500
Bheri
300
Bagmati
200
Mechi
200
Lumbini
100
Gandaki
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 9
  Sagarmatha 60,000
  Janakpur 46,000
  Kosi 9,500
  Narayani 1,500
  Bheri 300
  Bagmati 200
  Mechi 200
  Lumbini 100
  Gandaki 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
1.54 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.63 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.06 %
Unknown
0.68 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Maithili (97,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
Nepali
2,200
Bhojpuri
1,300
Magahi
1,300
Angika
300
Awadhi
200
Bantawa
30
Primary Language Maithili (97,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 7
Secondary Languages
  Nepali 2,200
  Bhojpuri 1,300
  Magahi 1,300
  Angika 300
  Awadhi 200
  Bantawa 30
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
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 and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth 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 Android Bible app: Maithili Bible General / Other
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 (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2025  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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.