Lhomi in India


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

Identity

Although they are considered part of the Tibetan nationality, the Lhomi possess their own distinct language and culture. Lhomi means "southern people."


History

The Lhomi are a Tibetan people who have been influenced by non-Tibetans over the course of many centuries. This has led to the mixture of cultural, linguistic, and religious traits that today identify them as a distinct people group.


Customs

Over the past 20 years, some Lhomi in Nepal have moved and settled down in the nation's capital, Katmandu, where they work as laborers and builders. Most of the Lhomi men who work in Katmandu send money back to their families. They are only able to travel back to their home villages once or twice a year. "This independent tribe grows a few crops, in particular millet for making gruel and beer. They raise sheep for wool and meat, and weave cotton-like garments from wild sisal hemp."


Religion

The Lhomi believe in the existence of spirits and natural forces that control the affairs of their lives. Their religion has been described as "unrefined Buddhism. ... Their shamans (animistic priests) are as active as the Buddhist lamas. Although animal sacrifice is abhorrent to orthodox Buddhists, the Lhomis make several ritual animal sacrifices during the year." Before millet is planted in September, the Lhomi kill three sheep to placate the patron deity of their village.


Christianity

Due to the large foreign missionary contingent formerly based in Darjeeling, northeast India, many Lhomi there have some awareness of the gospel, and a few have believed in Christ. In recent years more than 100 Lhomi in Nepal have also put their faith in Christ. They are now sending evangelists to other people groups. Lhomi Scripture portions were first printed in 1976, and gospel recordings are also available. Despite the existence of Lhomi Christians in Nepal and India, it has proven difficult for the gospel to spread to their counterparts in Tibet, due to the political situation there and the tightly controlled borders.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Lhomi in India.


Profile Source:   Operation China, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Lhomi
People Name in Country Lhomi
Pronunciation Low-mee
Alternate Names Kar Bhote; Karbhote; Kathe Bhote; Lhoket; Saapa; Shing; Shing Saapa; Shingsaba; Shingsawa; Singsawa; लहोमी
Population this Country 1,900
Population all Countries 4,900
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18548
ROP3 Code 114165
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country West Bengal, Darjeeling.   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country West Bengal, Darjeeling..   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States 1
  West Bengal 1,900
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
92.06 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
7.94 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Lhomi (1,300 speakers)
Language Code lhm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Nepali
300
Primary Language Lhomi (1,300 speakers)
Language Code lhm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Nepali 300
People Groups Speaking Lhomi

Primary Language:  Lhomi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1976)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1995)
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 Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Psalms Unplugged Nepal 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Operation China, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.