Introduction / History

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 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. The Abdul in Nepal primarily speak Maithili, though most understand Urdu and Bhojpuri.

What Are Their Lives Like?

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 to the village playing the 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. The Abdul eat wheat, rice and maize. They are not vegetarians.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Abdul people are Sunni Muslims. While little is known of the specific contours of the Abdul people’s religious practices, Sunni Muslims claim Allah is the one supreme God, who spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the

Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of

faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of

Ramadan, give alms to the poor and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at mosques, their

places of worship.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and

Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. In most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine the quality of their daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to appease spiritual forces.

What Are Their Needs?

As members of a lower social status, many Abdul people live in poverty. Their physical needs are great and their spiritual needs are even greater. They need people to come to them who will treat them with dignity and share the gospel with them in love.

Prayer Items

Pray for Christians to come to the Abdul people, treat them with dignity and respect, and share the gospel with them.
Pray the Lord will grant the Abdul people repentance and faith in Christ.
Pray that those among them who become believers would be faithful in making disciples of those around them.

Scripture Prayers for the Abdul in Nepal.