Chopan in India

Introduction / History

The oldest known community in the Himalayan Mountains of Kashmir are the Chopan people! Their ancestors were shepherds; today they still tend livestock.

The small Chopan community lives in Jammu and Kashmir, India's far northern state with a Muslim majority.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Chopan are shepherds, the oldest occupation in that region. They tend their flocks of sheep and goats in these rugged Himalayan Mountains. They sometimes have to climb over boulders with their livestock to find good grazing land and clean water. The Chopan people are widely distributed in rural areas; however, some have been able to mix with more affluent Muslim communities and are now working for the Indian government.

The Chopan people rarely eat meat primarily because it is expensive, but on special occasions they will enjoy mutton, a favorite meat in India. Like many other castes in India, the Chopan people have their marriages arranged by their parents. Indeed, marriage is their most important ritual although these Muslims keep it simple.

They are unengaged as well as unreached, so no one is involved in reaching out to the Chopan with the gospel. Their rural, remote lifestyle is an obstacle in reaching them, but nothing is impossible with God.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chopan people are Sunni Muslims who believe that Islam offers the spiritual answers that all peoples need.

What Are Their Needs?

The Chopan people need to have the chance to become children of the Living God and disciples of Christ.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will put it on the hearts of Indian believers to disciple the Chopan community in the ways of Christ and teach them to disciple others.
Pray for God to prepare Chopan hearts to recognize the truth of the gospel message.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.

Text Source:   Joshua Project