The Tharu have lived quiet, simple lives for four centuries. About two thirds live in Nepal and the rest live further south in India's Uttar Pradesh state.
They are a gentle people. They make almost everything they use themselves, with a touch of art in everything. They have their own gods and follow a Bharra (shaman). Besides the Bharra, who treats their diseases, the village headman, bhalamansa, and the Desi-Mahajan—an Indian moneylender—are important people within the village. They are becoming more aware of outside issues and fireside chat in the evenings is becoming more outward focused, reflecting changes in their culture.
The Tharu people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India and Nepal. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
The Tharu speak several languages and are spread over a wide area of Nepal.
Pray for the gentle Tharu people to be protected from those who would take advantage of them.
Pray they will be able to care adequately for their families.
There are a few Christians among the Tharu community. Pray they will become true disciples, moving beyond mere cultural identification with Christ. Pray for the gift of conviction of sin, and for zealous hearts to really know and follow Christ.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving ambassadors of Christ to this unreached community.
Scripture Prayers for the Tharu in India.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Tharu |
People Name in Country | Tharu |
Pronunciation |
TAH-roo
|
Population this Country | 532,000 |
Population all Countries | 2,285,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 3 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 11 |
Alternate Names | Kathoriya; Kathoriya Tharu; Mahatos; Mahatu; Tharu Rana; थारू |
People ID | 15464 |
ROP3 Code | 110011 |
Country | India | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 21 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||||||||||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 21 (only 20 largest shown) |
Bihar 189,000 | |
Uttar Pradesh 125,000 | |
Uttarakhand 107,000 | |
Assam 58,000 | |
West Bengal 30,000 | |
Sikkim 14,000 | |
Arunachal Pradesh 1,300 | |
Manipur 1,000 | |
Meghalaya 800 | |
Maharashtra 500 | |
Madhya Pradesh 400 | |
Himachal Pradesh 200 | |
Jharkhand 200 | |
Punjab 60 | |
Telangana 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.09 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
1.49 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.05 %
|
Islam |
0.29 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.02 %
|
Unknown |
0.07 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Hindi (112,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 26 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (112,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 26 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Nepali 84,000 | |
Tharu, Mid-Eastern 73,000 | |
Tharu, Kathariya 70,000 | |
Kumaoni 50,000 | |
Bhojpuri 25,000 | |
Maithili 12,000 | |
Tharu, Rana 9,200 | |
Kanauji 8,000 | |
Buksa 6,300 | |
Bengali 2,100 | |
Tai Long 1,000 | |
Odia 900 | |
Urdu 200 | |
Kannada 200 | |
Awadhi 100 | |
People Groups | Speaking Hindi |
Primary Language: Hindi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1806-1962) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1811-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1835-2019) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
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Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |