Nat (Hindu traditions) in Nepal


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

Nat people prefer to be known as Raj Nat as they claim to have Rajput origins and originate from Rajasthan. They are also called Bhanmati, meaning "something amazing." Nat are classed as a scheduled caste in India and Nepal.


Where Are they Located?

Nat people live in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The smallest number is in Nepal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Nat of Nepal are professional dancers, singers and acrobats by tradition. Today many in the Nat community are employed in farming and other trades. Both men and women chew betel nuts and tobacco, and drinking alcohol is common. They usually live in hamlets on the outskirts of villages and towns. Their work and semi nomadic lifestyle have caused them to be impoverished.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Nat people in Nepal practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Nat people are 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?

They need help in getting their medical, educational and vocational needs met. Please pray the Nat community will acquire skills to make them employable in reputable trades.


Prayer Points

Pray for families of Nat believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching Nat families that results in hundreds of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Nat society as all believers learn to love others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Nat people like yeast changes dough.


Scripture Prayers for the Nat (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.


References


https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17763/IN


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Nat (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Nat (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bajania; Bajania Nat; Bajigar; Balija; Bazigar; Bhanmati; Bhanumati; Gulgulia; Kalavanthulu; Kalbelia; Kanphata; Kanphatia; Karnat; Kutchwandh; Nat; Natada; Natavalollu; Nath Jogi; Nathjogi; Nathyogi; Natta; Nattavaru; Nattuvan; Natua; Natuva; Netya; Nut; Parnewala; Rai Nat; Raj Nat; Sanchia; Sapera; Yogi; नट (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 3,500
Population all Countries 592,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17763
ROP3 Code 113224
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Narayani Zone, districts of Rautahat, Para, and Parsa. Some in Lumbini, Janakpur, and Koshi zones.   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States on file 10
Largest States
Narayani
1,600
Janakpur
800
Lumbini
600
Sagarmatha
100
Kosi
70
Bheri
70
Seti
50
Mechi
40
Bagmati
40
Mahakali
10
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Narayani Zone, districts of Rautahat, Para, and Parsa. Some in Lumbini, Janakpur, and Koshi zones..   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States 10
  Narayani 1,600
  Janakpur 800
  Lumbini 600
  Sagarmatha 100
  Kosi 70
  Bheri 70
  Seti 50
  Mechi 40
  Bagmati 40
  Mahakali 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bhojpuri (1,400 speakers)
Language Code bho   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Maithili
1,200
Awadhi
400
Hindi
40
Primary Language Bhojpuri (1,400 speakers)
Language Code bho   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Maithili 1,200
  Awadhi 400
  Hindi 40
People Groups Speaking Bhojpuri

Primary Language:  Bhojpuri

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1911-1982)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1998-2007)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bhojpuri Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bhojpuri YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bhojpuri YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bhojpuri Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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