The Humla Tibetan people live spread out in 22 main villages across six village development areas (similar to counties) in the central and northwest regions of Humla district, northwestern Nepal. The Humla Tibetan people speak a form of Tibetan that is somewhat similar to other Tibetan languages in Nepal, like Sherpa or Lhomi.
The language they speak is distinct enough to be considered a separate language. Their culture and religion, in many ways, is similar to other high mountain Tibetan Buddhist groups in Nepal. They are very religious and follow mostly the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddism, except for the Limi valley (Drigung Kagyu sect) and the Tumkot Gompa (Sakyapa sect - Yari and Muchu area).
Humla villages are very isolated and hard to travel to. There are almost no roads to be found, mostly footpaths and trails. The villages are all situated at high elevation (from 2500 m. to 3750 m.) and are relatively close to the Chinese border. Many people have trade connections in China. All communities depend on agriculture, animal husbandry, and trade for subsistence. While one or more men of a household travel for long periods of time to engage in long-distance trade and to move animals between summer and winter pastures, women are in charge of agricultural activities in the village.
The Humla Tibetans form tight-knit communities and are proud of their own culture and language. There are considerable differences between the communities, but they are still interrelated. Most people have a strong sense of identity. The language has a very high vitality and ability to read and write in Nepali or Tibetan is still poor. People are interested in developing their own language. Starting with oral forms of language development is advised.
Scripture Prayers for the Byansi in Nepal.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
People Name General | Byansi |
People Name in Country | Byansi |
Alternate Names | Byangsi; ब्यानसी |
Population this Country | 4,900 |
Population all Countries | 6,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19335 |
ROP3 Code | 101831 |
ROP25 Code | 301542 |
ROP25 Name | Byangsi (Byansi) |
Country | Nepal | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||
Total States on file | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 7 |
Karnali 2,900 | |
Mahakali 1,100 | |
Seti 400 | |
Mechi 200 | |
Kosi 200 | |
Bheri 100 | |
Bagmati 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.72 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.28 %
|
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 | Humla (1,300 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | hut Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Unknown | ||||||
Total Languages | 5 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Humla (1,300 speakers) |
Language Code | hut Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 5 |
Secondary Languages | |
Byangsi 1,300 | |
Nepali 1,100 | |
Dotyali 600 | |
Rangpuri 40 | |
People Groups | Speaking Humla |
Primary Language: Humla
Bible Translation Status: Unspecified
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |