Monpa in Bhutan

Monpa
Photo Source:  Copyrighted © 2024
Matt Hahnewald - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Monpa
Country: Bhutan
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 99,000
World Population: 147,000
Primary Language: Tshangla
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: New Testament
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Tribal - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Monpa people live in Arunachal Pradesh (NE India) and Bhutan.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Monpa people are known as friendly and hard working. They work in agriculture, trading, and breeding of yaks and cattle. They grow potatoes. The foundation seeds are brought from Himachal Pradesh and are grown by Monpa people to give certified seeds. They are sold to farmers in other regions of Arunachal Pradesh. Other crops are barley, rice, maize and wheat. They can also grow oranges, apples and nuts in Tawang.
Monpa people live in two story houses made of stone and with planks for floors. They are artistic people who make carpets, utensils from bamboo, and wooden items. They have made a name for themselves with their paintings and paper making. They are skilled in making wood carvings and learned to manufacture paper from the pulp of a certain tree.
After marriage the newly married couple moves into the home of the bride's parents.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most adhere to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Elements of the ancient Bon shamanistic religion are blended into the practices of the Monpa. The "spirit of the tiger" has been an influence, which may torment people as they sleep.

What Are Their Needs?

Bhutan does not welcome Christian missionaries. No written, audio, or visual Bible resources exist in the Monpa language. There are some indigenous Christians in Bhutan, but they are few and far between.

Prayer Points

There may be a few believers among the Monpa of Bhutan and India, but this is uncertain. Pray for any believers to be taught by God's Spirit how to quickly confess sin, and how to walk in the power of the Lord's Spirit, demonstrating love, joy and peace.
Pray for the Monpa to be completely set free from the bondage of evil spirits.
Pray they will be given a hunger to know the living God.

Text Source:   Joshua Project