Dzala in Bhutan

The Dzala inhabit the highlands along the upper course of the Kholongchu River in the Yangtse District. In 1995, Yangtse was granted administrative status as a fully-fledged district of Bhutan. It was previously a sub-district of Trashigang and is often referred to as Trashi-Yangtse. The Dzala language is also spoken as far west as the Kurichu River in Lhuntse District. The speakers of Dzala in Lhuntse, however, refer to themselves as the Khoma and to their language as Khomakha, Khomakha has been listed as a dialect of Dzala. The part of Bhutan inhabited by the Dzala is extremely poor. Many visitors say it is like stepping back to medieval times. Life is simple and slow-paced.

Ministry Obstacles
Tibetan Buddhism has been the spiritual stronghold of the Dzala for more than 1,300 years. Buddhism entered Bhutan from Tibet, and visits from lamas and monks from Tibet, India, and Nepal maintained and strengthened Buddhism here over the centuries. The Dzala view their identity and culture as inextricably linked to Buddhism. Someone would need to go to them with oral materials. There are a few, but enough to get the basic gospel message to the Dzala.

Scripture Focus
"I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."  Psalm 146:2

Scripture Prayer
Pray for the Lord to raise up people from this people group with this kind of dedication to the Lord.

Prayer Focus
Pray for loving and dedicated workers to go to the Dzala until they have strong Christian believers among them. Pray for them to have the spiritual hunger to seek and find the only Savior. Pray for a soon-coming movement to Christ among the Dzala of Bhutan.

Presented by Joshua Project
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