Magars are one of the oldest known tribes in Nepal; however, their origin is unclear. They are believed to be of Tibetan descent because their language and dances are similar to those within Tibetan cultures.
The Magars are divided into several groups: Western, Eastern, and Southern. As a people they speak both Nepali and their own language. Taken together, these groups number some seven percent of Nepal's population.
Some of the Magar people live in the plains where the Himalayan hills begin. Others occupy the lower hills of the Mahabharat Lekh while a few inhabit the high-altitude mountain areas. Magar people live in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
These hardworking, self-sufficient, honest people make a living as craftsmen, farmers, miners, smiths, doctors, educators, civil servants, lawyers, journalists, and other occupations. Some are illiterate.
The Magar people practice many religions including a blend of Buddhism and Hinduism, worshipping Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. They also practice traditional animism. Less than one percent follow Jesus, and it is unclear how much of the New Testament is available to them in their language.
"Life cycle rituals" are a very important part of Magar society. A special birth ceremony is held 11 days after a child is born. The baby is named and then washed for the first time. One festival known as Jyestha Poornima is observed in May or June at the time of the full moon. During the ceremony, freshly harvested grains are offered to the gods.
These folk need Jesus. They need to worship the truth, not Hindu deities. They need the Bible in their heart language. They also need true religious freedom so they can put their faith in Jesus without being persecuted.
Pray for spiritual hunger among Magar people in Bhutan and Nepal.
Pray that Christ-centered fellowships and a disciple making movement will take root in Magar society.
Pray for the Bible to be translated and courage for the few Magar believers to be true to their faith.
Scripture Prayers for the Magar in Bhutan.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11698/NP
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11698/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11698/BG
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/refugees-from-bhutan-hope-for-a-more-colorful-future-here/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Magar-People-of-Nepal-and-Tibet/
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Magar |
People Name in Country | Magar |
Alternate Names | Bara Mangar; Eastern Magar; Gurkha; Magari; Mangar; Mangari; Thami; Thapa; मगर |
Population this Country | 2,800 |
Population all Countries | 2,606,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 11698 |
ROP3 Code | 102848 |
Country | Bhutan | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
Persecution Rank | 40 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 3 | |||
Largest States |
|
Country | Bhutan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 40 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 3 |
Western 2,000 | |
Eastern 600 | |
Southern 200 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
25.10 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
74.90 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Bhutan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Assamese | |||
Language Code | asm Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Assamese |
Language Code | asm Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bengali | |
Magar, Eastern | |
Nepali | |
People Groups | Speaking Assamese |
Primary Language: Assamese
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1822-1974) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1819-1993) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1833-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Kerry Olson All rights reserved. Used with permission |
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. |