Raute in Nepal

Introduction / History

The majority of the Raute population is settled in the Far West in 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. Linguistically, little is known about Raute. It is classified as Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Central Himalayan, Raute-Raji-Rawat (Ethnologue).
Historically, the Raute have been nomadic hunter gatherers. However, in 1979 the nomadic Raute from Darchula District were forcibly resettled by the government to the middle hills of Dadeldhura. They were given land, but eventually most of them lost it to wealthy landowners. With the loss of their land, most of them moved back to the forest.

What Are Their Lives Like?

With the change in location and living arrangement, many Raute bands took on new names and intermarried with surrounding groups. In Jarjarkot there are Raute who have intermarried with the surrounding Kami and Damai castes. 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. Currently, the government is giving each Raute family member 1,000 NRs per month in addition to the land and homes that have also been government funded.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There are no known Raute Christians. They practice a form of Animism.

What Are Their Needs?

There are few if any Christian believers among Nepal's Raute population. Who will go to them?

Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual discernment and a hunger for truth, leading them to the cross.
Pray for loving and dedicated Christian workers.
Pray for Raute disciples who will make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project