Subgroups: 3
Subgroup Name | Population ▼ | |
---|---|---|
Jarra | 788,000 | |
Khatri | 681,000 | |
Matvali (Pawai) | 81,000 |
The Nepalese Chhetri are the major ethnic group in Nepal. They speak Nepali, which is the country's official language. The Nepalese have many racial, cultural, and linguistic similarities to the people of northern India. Their domestic and religious practices are also patterned after the higher Hindu castes of India.
Most Nepalese live in small villages in hilly terrain and are accustomed to traveling long distances on foot. They are known for their cheerfulness, good humor, resourcefulness, and self-confidence. Their population consists primarily of three castes, or social classes: the Brahmins (priests and scholars); the Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors); and the Achut (laborers and servants). The Achut perform the most polluted tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms. Many also beg and scavenge for a living. They are excluded from and considered ritually unclean by the other classes of Hindus.
Nepal opened its borders in 1951. However, foreign missionaries found it difficult to evangelize because of the strict government laws and scrutiny of foreigners.
Most of the Nepalese are farmers. They live in small rural settlements that are situated near rivers or springs. The villages consist of loosely grouped homes surrounded by farm land. Only the poorest families do not own land. In middle and southern Nepal, the land has been terraced for generations. Wet rice is grown during the monsoon season; dry rice, maize, millet, and wheat are raised on drier land during the summer and winter months. The Nepalese also cultivate vegetable gardens to feed their families. Most of the farmers raise buffalo and goats for meat and cows for milk.
Nepalese villages consist of loosely grouped homes surrounded by farm land. The villages are generally situated near rivers or springs, and the homes are connected by footpaths. Sometimes the paths meet together near a large tree that is used as a meeting place for the villagers, as well as a resting place for travelers. There are also a number of larger towns where the important temples or monasteries are located.
Houses are usually made of mud-brick with thatch or tin roofs. The bottom portions of the houses are painted with red clay, and the top halves are whitewashed. Most houses have two or more stories. The kitchen and living quarters are often located upstairs to keep them free of pollution by stray animals that might wander into the house. Most houses have porches and courtyards where people socialize and do crafts such as weaving.
Nepalese children, whether born to landowners or to servants, are treated well. Breast-feeding may continue until a child is three years old. There are many rites of passage for children, such as the first rice feeding and the first haircut. Also, girls go through puberty rites and boys go through initiations known as "sacred thread ceremonies." When they are about eight years old, the children begin doing domestic chores. Girls help care for the younger children, carry food for the animals, and haul water. Boys usually tend to the animals.
Nepalese girls were traditionally married before they reached the age of ten. Now, they usually marry later, but still do not begin living with their husbands until they have matured.
The Chhetri worship a pantheon of gods.
Although most Nepalese are Hindus, there are still a large number of Buddhists and Muslims. All of these groups have held onto their traditional animistic beliefs (a belief that non-human objects have spirits). They recognize local gods, goblins, and spirits. They also believe in ghosts and demons that haunt the crossroads and rivers. Offerings are made to these spirits in order to appease them.
With Hinduism embracing 330 million gods, Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, has more temples, houses, and idols than people.
Very few of the Nepalese in Nepal know Jesus. Christianity is looked at as the "foreigners" religion. New believers are considered off limits - the caste you do not mix with. Baptism is considered the ultimate proof of conversion, and the person performing the baptism can face up to a six-year prison term.
Prayer is the key to reaching the Nepalese with the Gospel.
Pray that God will encourage and strengthen the Nepalese who have converted to Christianity.
Ask God to bless worship and intercession by Christians from other countries who come to prayer-walk in Nepal.
Scripture Prayers for the Chhetri in Nepal.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet |
Global Prayer Digest: 2007-09-03 |
Global Prayer Digest: 2013-11-15 |
People Name General | Chhetri |
People Name in Country | Chhetri |
Pronunciation |
KSHEH-tree
|
Alternate Names | Chheepi; Chhettri; Kshetri; च्छेत्री |
Population this Country | 5,092,000 |
Population all Countries | 5,391,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 3 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 102 |
People ID | 16589 |
ROP3 Code | 111785 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Chhetri |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Chhetri |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 3 |
Jarra 788,000 | |
Khatri 681,000 | |
Matvali (Pawai) 81,000 |
Country | Nepal | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||||||||
Location in Country | East and south central. Source: www.ethnologue.com | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 14 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | East and south central.. Source: www.ethnologue.com |
Total States | 14 |
Bagmati 778,000 | |
Seti 722,000 | |
Mahakali 491,000 | |
Rapti 489,000 | |
Bheri 441,000 | |
Kosi 342,000 | |
Lumbini 278,000 | |
Karnali 270,000 | |
Janakpur 232,000 | |
Mechi 229,000 | |
Gandaki 228,000 | |
Sagarmatha 198,000 | |
Narayani 177,000 | |
Dhaulagiri 108,000 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.61 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.14 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.68 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.56 %
|
Unknown |
0.01 %
|
* From latest Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Nepali (3,857,000 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 44 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
|
Primary Language | Nepali (3,857,000 speakers) |
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 44 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Dotyali 398,000 | |
Bantawa 37,000 | |
Humla 14,000 | |
Musasa 12,000 | |
Maithili 8,700 | |
Chamling 7,800 | |
Bhojpuri 7,100 | |
Thulung 5,000 | |
Raute 4,700 | |
Wambule 3,800 | |
Bahing 3,200 | |
Sonha 3,200 | |
Awadhi 2,600 | |
Kumaoni 2,200 | |
Khaling 2,200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Nepali |
Primary Language: Nepali
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1850-1961) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1821-2010) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1914-2012) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Steve Evans - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | The Waiting World |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |