Teli (Hindu traditions) in Nepal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 6

Subgroup Name Population
Kalu কালু 4,600
Kanaujia 4,500
Jaunpuria 3,700
Rathor 3,200
Byahut 3,000
Jaiswal 400

Introduction / History

Within the caste system there are numerous communities which have a given task to benefit others. The Teli community is one of these. Their name came from the Sanskrit word talika or taila, referring to oil extracted from sesame and mustard. Lord Shiva, a key Hindu god is central in their creation myth. Shiva created them to destroy five demons. However, their legend also says that the first Teli was created by Shiva to rub him with oil. Telis were traditionally considered one of the Vaisya, or trading communities. That put them as part of the third highest of four caste clusters.


Where Are they Located?

Most Teli people live throughout India. A smaller number live in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Teli community once did the labor-intensive job of pressing and extracting oil, but now that job is done by mechanical means. For this reason, they have mainly resorted to farming or animal husbandry. A good many of these are landless, and some have applied to be considered "Other backward castes" so they can receive special treatment from the Indian government. A smaller number of them are businessmen or hotel managers, metal workers, cart pullers, or common laborers. Many work in government jobs, and they are active in politics. The Teli people are endogamous, meaning that they only marry within their own community. Family heads and elders arrange their marriages, and they pay the dowry with cash and valuable goods. In today's world, Teli people live mainly in nuclear families. Like all other South Asian communities, women have lower status and power than men; however, women take a leading role in social and religious activities. Women also help with the family income through embroidery and other money-making activities.


The perception of Christianity as an invading influence that breaks up families and promotes many social problems is a serious obstacle to Teli families and communities humbly accepting God's blessing for their families.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Teli are mainly Hindus who have special celebrations at weddings and the birth of a child. They cremate the dead, and scatter the ashes in a river, preferably the Ganges, a river that Hindus consider to be holy. They worship their ancestors and seek protection from evil spirits. This people group is pragmatic in their spiritual practices. They worship a "wish-fulfilling goddess" whom they hope will answer their prayers.


What Are Their Needs?

The Teli people are not usually poor, but they need better access to higher education and good job opportunities. They also need access to meeting the Risen Christ and the opportunity to follow him.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Teli people in Nepal will develop a hunger for the true God. Pray that believers will reach out to this people with the blessings of Christ. Pray that soon the oil of the Holy Spirit would anoint Teli community leaders and lead them to throw open the doors for their people to follow Jesus. Pray for the Lord to raise up Teli believers who will disciple others and begin the process of starting a disciple making movement.


Scripture Prayers for the Teli (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Teli (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Teli (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TEL-ee
Population this Country 423,000
Population all Countries 22,858,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 8
Alternate Names Badbaik; Balu; Devi-Telikula; Gachhi; Gandla; Ganiga; Ganigaru; Ganita; Goundla; Gunigan; Gunija; Hansari; Harsolia; Kalu; Kanala; Malik; Maliks; Modh Ganchi; Murmi; Rathor; Sahu; Sahu Samaj; Somakshatriya; Taili; Tailik; Teli Telukula; Telikula; Telipal; Telwain; Tili; Tilwan; Vaniyan; टेली (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
People ID 18229
ROP3 Code 113757
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 14
Largest States
Janakpur
121,000
Narayani
106,000
Sagarmatha
89,000
Lumbini
39,000
Kosi
38,000
Bagmati
10,000
Mechi
6,800
Bheri
5,100
Gandaki
1,200
Seti
900
Rapti
300
Mahakali
300
Karnali
300
Dhaulagiri
200
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 14
  Janakpur 121,000
  Narayani 106,000
  Sagarmatha 89,000
  Lumbini 39,000
  Kosi 38,000
  Bagmati 10,000
  Mechi 6,800
  Bheri 5,100
  Gandaki 1,200
  Seti 900
  Rapti 300
  Mahakali 300
  Karnali 300
  Dhaulagiri 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.02 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.14 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.83 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.01 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Maithili (262,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
77,000
Awadhi
16,000
Nepali
5,000
Magahi
2,900
Hindi
2,400
Angika
2,100
Rangpuri
600
Kumaoni
100
Bengali
100
Dotyali
40
Primary Language Maithili (262,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 11
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 77,000
  Awadhi 16,000
  Nepali 5,000
  Magahi 2,900
  Hindi 2,400
  Angika 2,100
  Rangpuri 600
  Kumaoni 100
  Bengali 100
  Dotyali 40
People Groups Speaking Maithili
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more