Badhai (Muslim traditions) in Nepal

People Name:	Badhai (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Nepal
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	2,700
World Population:	764,200
Primary Language:	Urdu
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Hindu - Badhai
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Badhai name comes from the Sanskrit vardhna which means 'cutting '. The Hindu community of the Badhai believe that their name comes from Lord Vishwakarma who created two people groups: the cutters of wood, or Badhai people and the workers of iron, or Lohar people. Most of those Badhai Muslims live in Uttar Pradesh but others are scattered through north India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The small Badhai population in Nepal that are found mainly in Rapti, Bheri and Sagarmatha zones are primarily Nepali speaking but also use Urdu, Bhojpuri and Maithili.

What Are Their Lives Like?

As mentioned above the Badhai are traditionally wood-cutters and carpenters. Today carpentry is still common though some have acquired land and are involved in agriculture. The men have a custom of wearing the dhoti, a baniyan shirt and a red cloth, or gamcha, over the shoulder. They are not vegetarian and prefer rice and wheat as staple grains.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most Badhai are Hindus the smaller Nepali Badhai are nearly all Sunni Muslims.

What Are Their Needs?

There are no known believers among this group. May woodworking Christians and other believers gain a burden for this group of people!

Prayer Points

Pray for Muslim Badhai 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 their 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 Badhai people.
Pray that soon the Badhai people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.
Pray for spiritual discernment and a hunger for true spirituality.