The exact origins of the Tibetans are unclear. Tibetans have many subgroups, with their own language and homeland. But there are only two main branches: the Amdo and the Khampa. The Khampa have a fearsome reputation as the most hostile and violent of the various Tibetan subgroups. People know them as excellent marksmen.
Khampa Tibetans have a long history of conflict with the Chinese, who annexed most of Kham Province to Sichuan in 1720. No Chinese dared to enter the territory for fear of being killed. The issue came to a head in the 1950s when Communist China was solidifying their hold on Tibet, and there was massive carnage at the hands of the Red Army. Though most Khampas remained till the bitter end, some fled either to Bhutan or northeastern India where they have set up new homes. Most of the Khampa Tibetans live in Tibet, but they have smaller populations in Northeastern India and Bhutan.
Most Khampa Tibetans in Bhutan are semi nomadic, constantly moving their herds of yaks, cattle, goats, and sheep to new pastures. The economy rests on growing grain and cattle production. Their principal crop is barley. Farmers plow with the aid of the native yak or the dzo (a cross between a cow and a yak). They make butter from these animal's milk. The butter is then mixed with ground barley in tea to make a dish called tsampa, a staple food for Tibetans.
Sexual immorality among the Khampa is normal.
Khampa Tibetans adhere to Tibetan Buddhism, also known as Tantric Buddhism. Their religion is the lifeblood of the Khampa Tibetan people. Tantric Buddhism is Buddhism blended with bon, a mixture of magic, divination, demon worship, and sacrifices.
Tantric Buddhism involves visualization. The tantric master gives each student a deity to visualize. These deities are usually wrathful spirits. Their goal is to help the student achieve "liberation." He must learn to become what he sees in these visions.
Khampa Tibetans in Bhutan need the chance to find true liberation: liberation from sin and spiritual death. They are at the mercy of spirits that come to kill, steal and destroy.
Pray that God will send culturally sensitive missionaries who will show them the way to the cross.
Pray for a Christ-ward movement to flourish among this people group in the 2020s.
Pray for the Khampa Tibetan to be blessed with peace, joy and spiritual prosperity as they follow Jesus Christ.
Pray for their leaders to have dreams and visions that will open their hearts to Jesus Christ and his ambassadors.
Scripture Prayers for the Khampa Tibetan in Bhutan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Khampa Eastern |
People Name in Country | Khampa Tibetan |
Pronunciation | Kum-ba ti-BEH-ten |
Alternate Names | Kam; Kang; Kham; Khamba; Khampas; Khams; Khams Bhotia; Khams-Bhotia; Khams-Yal; Konka; Konkaling; खमपा, ईस्टर्न |
Population this Country | 1,700 |
Population all Countries | 1,600,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18522 |
ROP3 Code | 114136 |
ROP25 Code | 303929 |
ROP25 Name | Khampa |
Country | Bhutan | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
Persecution Rank | 40 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 2 | |||
Largest States |
|
Country | Bhutan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 40 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 2 |
Eastern 1,700 | |
Western 20 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
100.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Bhutan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Khamba (1,700 speakers) |
Language Code | kbg Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Khamba (1,700 speakers) |
Language Code | kbg Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Khamba |
Primary Language: Khamba
Bible Translation Status: Translation Started
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
None reported |
Photo Source | Dawa Drolma - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |