The origin of Khawas Tharu people in Nepal is surrounded by myths and oral tradition. At one time they were bonded laborers. In 2000 bonded labor was classified as illegal in Nepal, however this people group still lack privileges that others enjoy.
Khawas Tharu people consider themselves people of the forest. They have lived in the forests for hundreds of years practicing a short fallow shifting cultivation. They plant rice, wheat, mustard, corn, and lentils, and collect forest products such as wild fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and materials to build their houses. They hunt deer, rabbits, and wild boar, and also fish in the rivers and lakes. They speak variants of Nepali. Khawas Tharu people traditionally lived in longhouses with big families of up to 31 members from four generations and between one and eight married couples. They pool their labor force, contribute their income, share the expenses, and use one kitchen. The eldest male person assumes responsibility for households. He assigns work to family members, is responsible for the family's social activities and must report income and expenses annually to the family.
Khawas Tharu people in Nepal practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods hoping to gain protection and benefits. They also practice animistic traditional beliefs, fearfully worshiping evil spirits that must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.
Their most important need is to know the living God who has provided payment of the penalty of their sins, and who loves them infinitely. Who will tell them? Written, visual, and audio Bible resources exist in their spoken language of Nepali, however they remain an unreached people group. They need practical helps like medical, educational and environmental aid. These needs are also potential doors for the gospel.
Pray for Holy Spirit-led disciples to enter the field of harvest among these people for whom Christ died and rose again. Pray that Khawas Tharu leaders would not only hear, but embrace the love of Father God, and tell their families of the eternal provision made for them. Pray that existing Bible resources will flow freely among this needy people, and that true spiritual hunger will grow and spread among their families resulting in a church planting movement.
Scripture Prayers for the Tharu Khawas in Nepal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharu_people
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Tharu Khawas |
People Name in Country | Tharu Khawas |
Natural Name | Khawas Tharu |
Alternate Names | तरू, खवास |
Population this Country | 1,800 |
Population all Countries | 1,800 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 20779 |
ROP3 Code | 117300 |
ROP25 Code | 308118 |
ROP25 Name | Tharu |
Country | Nepal | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||
Total States on file | 9 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 9 |
Gandaki 1,200 | |
Lumbini 300 | |
Bagmati 200 | |
Sagarmatha 50 | |
Narayani 20 | |
Kosi 20 | |
Seti 10 | |
Janakpur 10 | |
Bheri 10 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
1.97 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.03 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Nepali (1,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Nepali (1,000 speakers) |
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Tharu, Kathariya 700 | |
Tharu, Dangaura 10 | |
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) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2024 Kerry Olson All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |