The Abduls in Nepal are said to have originated from the Abdal Muslims. The term Abdal means 'lieutenant '. Little other information is known of the origin of this group that has a strong tradition in the music, singing and particularly the playing of percussion instruments. In many parts of India they are known by the name Dafali. This majority of the over 50,000 Abduls are found in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal India as well as Bangladesh and Nepal.
Being of a lower social status has caused many Abdul families to survive on charity. In some communities they are alms gatherers while singing and drumming or selling perfume. It is said that during Ramadan some Abdul wake up early and go village to village playing their dafali (instrument) and singing the names of Allah. Traditions like this have given them the title 'wandering singers' or 'a class of wandering Muslim saints' in some places. They are Sunni Muslims in Nepal and are not vegetarians. They include wheat, rice and maize in their diet. Maithili is their primary language though most understand Urdu and Bhojpuri.
Because of the Abduls tradition of being able to share food and water with most Hindu communities, this group is likely easier to reach than some Muslim people. Their community is small and hidden in many ways.
* Scripture Prayers for the Abdul in India.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
People Name General | Abdul |
People Name in Country | Abdul |
Population this Country | 40,000 |
Population all Countries | 83,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | Abdal; Badal; Bediya; Beria; Dafalange; Dafali; Dholakwala; Dholwala; Hashmi; Hashmi Saudagar; Saudagar; Shaikh Darwesh; Sheikh Darwesh; अब्दुल |
People ID | 16152 |
ROP3 Code | 111252 |
Country | India | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 7 |
Bihar 31,000 | |
Uttar Pradesh 6,200 | |
West Bengal 2,000 | |
Jharkhand 600 | |
Delhi 400 | |
Himachal Pradesh 200 | |
Uttarakhand 100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Urdu (23,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 5 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Urdu (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | urd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 5 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 7,900 | |
Bengali 2,300 | |
Maithili 1,700 | |
Punjabi, Eastern 20 | |
People Groups | Speaking Urdu |
Primary Language: Urdu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1747-1894) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1758-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1843-2019) |
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 |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching |
Audio Recordings | Online Audio Scripture |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio |
Audio Recordings | Urdu Online Audio Bible |
Film / Video | God's Love Story |
Film / Video | God's Story video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Urdu |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels |
Film / Video | Magdalena video |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
Film / Video | The Prophets' Story |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |