Rabha in Bhutan
Photo Source:
Lizameata Rabha
|
Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
|
| People Name: | Rabha |
| Country: | Bhutan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 1,600 |
| World Population: | 416,600 |
| Primary Language: | Assamese |
| 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 Tribal - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
|
Introduction / History
The Rabha are a Scheduled Tribe in India, where most live. There is also a small contingent of Rabhas in nine districts of Bhutan.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Rabha people in Bhutan raise livestock.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The forest Rabhas follow traditional animistic practices tinged with some rituals of mainstream Hinduism, but village Rabhas have merged with local Hindus as far as their religious practices are concerned.
Rabha peoples' religious world is pervaded with various spirits and natural objects. Their main deity is Rishi but they also worship Rungtuk and Basek. As in most tribal communities, dances and music play an important part in the lives of the Rabhas. After every ritual they perform various dances to please their deities.
What Are Their Needs?
There are some Christians among the Rabha of India, according to the Indian census. Perhaps the Lord will call some of them to carry the gospel to Bhutan.
The literacy rate of this tribe in Bhutan is low. Printed resources may have limited impact.
Prayer Points
There are no indications of followers of Jesus today among the Rabha of Bhutan. Pray the Lord will send the good news about Jesus to all the Rabha people in Bhutan soon, and that they will be completely set free from harmful spirits.
Pray for Rabha disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for the Rabha people in Bhutan to have such a hunger for truth and righteousness that they will embrace Christ no matter what.