Nat (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Nat or Nut peoples name is derived from the Sanskrit word nata which means 'dancer '. They are a traditional occupational caste known for dancing and singing. The Nat have a generally lower caste status or in some states of India they are a Scheduled Caste. The Nat Muslim can be found in north India by the names Nar, Naitak or Natak, though a large majority of the Nat are Hindus.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As traditional dancers and acrobats that are often semi-nomadic, the Nat Muslims can still be found in acrobatic events and as singers, dancers or unskilled laborers. Men and women are known to sing and play the flute or dholak. Tattooing is common for women especially on the forehead. The Nat Muslims of Nepal speak Bhojpuri and Nepali. The Nat follow Sunni Muslim traditions and are non-vegetarian. They can be given in child marriages and nuclear families can be more common than extended families among them. The Nat Muslims tend to have a very low literacy rate.


What Are Their Beliefs?

About 25% of Nat are Muslims. Like most of Pakistan, they are part of the majority Sunni branch of Islam. Muslims throughout South Asia have blended true Islam with pre-Islamic beliefs that resemble those of the Hindus.


What Are Their Needs?

It is possible that the Nat Muslim in the lower castes would be open to the gospel but very few have ever tried and even fewer have worked with the Nat Muslim of Pakistan. Small business development and micro loans could likely be a big encouragement to this entrepreneurial people group.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Nat culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Nat family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a Disciple Making Movement among the Nat people.
Pray that soon the Nat people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Nat (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nat (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Nat (Muslim traditions)
Alternate Names Bajania; Bajania Nat; Bazigar; Bhanumati; Dapad; Gulgulia; Kalbelia; Karnat; Kutchwandh; Nut; Parnewala; Rai Nat; Sanchia; Sapela; Sapera; Sapera muslim; नट (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 30,000
Population all Countries 192,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17631
ROP3 Code 113067
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Punjab
21,000
Sindh
9,200
Balochistan
200
Islamabad
40
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Punjab 21,000
  Sindh 9,200
  Balochistan 200
  Islamabad 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Saraiki (15,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Sindhi
5,500
Punjabi, Western
4,900
Urdu
4,100
Dhatki
300
Marwari (Pakistan)
80
Primary Language Saraiki (15,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Sindhi 5,500
  Punjabi, Western 4,900
  Urdu 4,100
  Dhatki 300
  Marwari (Pakistan) 80
People Groups Speaking Saraiki
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  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.


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