Raute in Bangladesh
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Raute |
| Country: | Bangladesh |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 1,600 |
| World Population: | 2,700 |
| Primary Language: | Bengali |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Historically the Raute have been nomadic hunter gatherers. Linguistically, little is known about the Raute people. It is thought that the Raute tribe is related to the Rawat, Chepang and Raji peoples though there needs to be further research to confirm this.
Where Are they Located?
About half of the Raute people are located in Bangladesh, but the other half are in Nepal, where they are better known. In Nepal most are settled in the Dadeldura District. There are also populations of Raute in Surkhet and Dang Districts. The estimated population of the monolingual nomadic group varies by source. This nomadic group travels between many different districts in western Nepal.
A big obstacle to integration is the poor attitudes that many villagers have toward the Raute. The politics surrounding the Raute are vast and complicated.
What Are Their Lives Like?
A minority of the Raute people are still living nomadic lives, especially in Bangladesh which has few open spaces left. Most are settled, trying to earn a living either by farming or by what they can gather in the forests. They are noted for selling wooden bowls.
What Are Their Beliefs?
Being a people so dependent on the environment, they have a type of animistic religious belief. Their most likely contact with the gospel may be through a short Global Recordings Network video.
What Are Their Needs?
The Raute people in Bangladesh are very vulnerable to outsiders. With a small population and few if any modern ways, they are not in a position to defend themselves. Therefore, they need outsiders with a different spirit who will help them adapt to the modernizing world.
Prayer Points
Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Raute people in Bangladesh for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts will be open and ready to follow the Savior.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Raute people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Raute people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.