Mochi (Hindu traditions) in Nepal

Introduction / History

The Mochi caste is considered by some to be a branch of the Chamar caste, but the Mochi have repudiated that, considering themselves to be a separate caste of higher status than the Chamar. Chamar people process the hides, while the Mochi make leather products out of this raw product. In the past, some of the Mochi were involved with removing carrion and selling the bones and hides. The Mochi are subdivided into subgroups and clans, and there is a social ranking system between the subgroups.
The Mochi people live primarily in India and Bangladesh, but there are smaller communities in Nepal and Pakistan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Making leather products is what the Mochi community is known for. They are spared the stench of processing leather like the Chamars, but their status is almost as low. Any Hindu community that deals with dead matter, especially from the sacred cow, has low status. Some have escaped this stigma by producing bricks or baskets.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mochi people 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 in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mochi are widely spread throughout most of South Asia. It will likely require much effort and expense to reach all of them with the gospel. Perhaps the Mochi believers in India will grow in numbers and spiritual maturity to the extent they can effectively take the good news of Jesus to all their own people, not only in India but in Bangladesh and Nepal as well.

Prayer Points

Pray the hearts of Hindu Mochi people would be stirred to hunger after God, to drink of living water.
Pray for family-based movements to Christ to transform Mochi society, blessing them spiritually and economically.
Pray for the Lord to move in the hearts of believers to give up their own rights and sacrifice their lives to see the Mochi people blessed by the work of Jesus Christ, the only savior.

Text Source:   Joshua Project