Introduction / History

The Kandu (or Halwai) people are traditionally a business community that dry roasts grain for the other people groups. Through the years they spread out all over South Asia including Nepal.

Where Are they Located?

The Kandu people in Nepal live in the southeastern part of the country. Some have migrated to Nepal's cities. Other members of the Kandu community live in India or Bangladesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Modern Kandu people have left their old profession of parching grain and now work as merchants, moneylenders, shopkeepers, and dealers in grain and spices. They are strictly vegetarian and they do not consume alcoholic drinks. A regional council, known as the Vaisya Abha, looks after the welfare of their communities. The Kandu people tend to live in extended families. They marry primarily within their own clans although they do not forbid marriage outside their group. The Kandu people speak many languages but in Nepal their main languages are Nepali, Maithili and Bhojpuri.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all of the Kandu people of Nepal are Hindus. Hindus worship many deities, but their practices are diverse. In general, Hindus are pragmatic in their spiritual beliefs, offering worship to gods in exchange for benefits rather than out of love or devotion. The Kandu people revere the written Hindu Vedas and the Upanishads. They celebrate traditional Hindu holy days along with other Hindu people groups.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kandu people in Nepal are considered a backward or economically and socially disadvantaged caste. Most live in small to medium size villages without modern conveniences. Christian businesses persons, medical personnel and educators could build relationships and make a difference among them both economically and spiritually.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord would build up the few known Kandu believers and use them to begin a disciple making movement among this unreached people group.
Pray the Holy Spirit would create a spiritual hunger for the Bible and spiritual literature among the Kandu people in Nepal.
Pray the Lord would grant wisdom, safety and endurance to the Christian workers who are now sharing the gospel with the Kandu people of India.

Scripture Prayers for the Kandu in Nepal.

References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17080/NP
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17080/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandu
http://www.peoplegroups.org/Explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=49134