Sakaldwipi Brahmin 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

The Shakaldwipi Brahmans originally came to India from Central Asia. It is believed that they may be descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great, who conquered a small part of India over 2000 years ago. Some of these soldiers married Indian women, and their children became the Shakaldwipi. No one knows when this people group migrated to their present locations in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.

Brahmans (often in the past spelled Brahmins) are the highest of the four varna (major caste groupings) in Hinduism. The historical developments of various Brahman castes are not clear, as the history of the caste system itself is unclear. There was perhaps a caste system based on personal merit at one time before the hereditary caste system became dominant, as is seen in modern history. Brahman castes became powerful in the early centuries of the Christian Era through alliances with kings, who granted them landed estates related to temples and temple service. There has never been a comprehensive analysis of all the different types and subgroups of Brahmans.

Traditionally Brahmans have five daily duties; to the gods, to ancestors, to all creatures, to humans, and to study. Thus, daily worship (duty to gods) and chanting of sacred texts (duty to study) are an integral part of many Brahmans' lives, even if this is only a token routine for many.


Where Are they Located?

Most live in India's northern state of Bihar, and other parts of northern and eastern India. However, a smaller number live in Nepal or Bangladesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally in the varna system Brahmans are considered as priests, but a temple priest is a lowly position that no Sawaria Brahman family wants their sons to aspire towards. Rather, there is strong pressure for higher education, particularly in computer science and engineering. Shakaldwipi Brahmans have a strong work ethic and are often leaders, whether politically, intellectually, spiritually or socially.

Shakaldwipi Brahmans are deeply influenced by the traditional four stages of life; the first student stage is followed by the householder stage, where marriage, raising a family and being a productive member of society is the primary obligation of an individual. Once children are married there is time for spiritual concerns in the third stage of reclusiveness, which is followed (this is rarely practiced) by itinerant homeless wandering (sannyasa).

Often a busy Brahman will put off spiritual discussions as an issue for later in life. The famous Bhagavad Gita text does not support this, however, as it calls for all humanity to engage in doing good to all without thought of merit or reward for such actions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Some of the Shakaldwipi Brahmans are noted for worshipping the sun. They have their own clan deities.


What Are Their Needs?

Like other Brahman communities, the Shakaldwipis need to find the humility to accept that only a supreme, holy God can save them from sin.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord will show the Sakaldwipi Brahman communities of Nepal their need for forgiveness of sin, and that he offers life to the full.
Pray for disciple making movements to emerge among Sakaldwipi Brahmans in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.


Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Sakaldwipi in Nepal.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19974/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakaldwipiya
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2012/10/15
https://www.bandhan.com/female/brahmin+sakaldwipi/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahman-caste
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin
http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/brahmins-in-india/234783
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/16521/IN
http://induhistory.blogspot.com/p/brahmins-history.html
http://traceyourlineage.blogspot.com/2008/04/origin-of-gotras.html
https://thehindus.org/faqs/what-types-of-brahmins-are-there/
http://hinducaste.blogspot.com/2009/06/divisions-among-brahmins.html


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Brahmin Sakaldwipi
People Name in Country Brahmin Sakaldwipi
Natural Name Sakaldwipi Brahmin
Alternate Names Bhojak; Brahman Terai; Brahmin Terai; Mag; Mihir; Sakdipi; Shak Dwipi Brahman; Shak Dwipi Brahmin; Shakdipiniya; ब्रह्मन, सकल्द्विपि
Population this Country 3,400
Population all Countries 592,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19974
ROP3 Code 115755
ROP25 Code 301405
ROP25 Name Brahmin
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 6
Largest States
Lumbini
1,600
Janakpur
700
Bheri
400
Sagarmatha
200
Narayani
200
Kosi
200
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 6
  Lumbini 1,600
  Janakpur 700
  Bheri 400
  Sagarmatha 200
  Narayani 200
  Kosi 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 Maithili (1,400 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Awadhi
1,200
Bhojpuri
300
Hindi
60
Nepali
30
Primary Language Maithili (1,400 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Awadhi 1,200
  Bhojpuri 300
  Hindi 60
  Nepali 30
People Groups Speaking Maithili

Primary Language:  Maithili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010)
Bible-Complete No
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Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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
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Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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General Zume Resources Zume Project
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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 Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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