Kami in Nepal
Photo Source:
Pexels
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Kami |
| Country: | Nepal |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 1,448,000 |
| World Population: | 1,564,000 |
| Primary Language: | Nepali |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 1.56 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Kamis live mainly in Nepal, but also Bhutan, and the Indian states of West Bengal and Sikkim. A smaller number are scattered throughout other parts of India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Kamis are a rural people known for metal working. They are divided into two groups: black smiths and gold, silver, and copper smiths. They supplement smithing with agricultural work. Many are bilingual, also speaking Hindi. In those areas, they engage in agriculture. Others serve as curers, who favor traditional medicines over the use of modern medicine.
What Are Their Beliefs?
As a rule, Kamis are Hindus. They worship different Hindu deities, and they go on pilgrimage to Hindu sacred sites in Darjeeling, a region of West Bengal. Some have converted to Buddhism and other religions including Christianity. Many of these conversions are probably an attempt to escape discrimination brought on by Hinduism.
What Are Their Needs?
Only about a third are literate in Nepali, their main language. They need better schools and medical facilities.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Christian Kamis to be loving and forthright in sharing their faith.
Pray for more openness to modern medicine and that such openness will lead to increased contacts with Christian physicians and health care providers.
Pray for increased literacy and access to Scripture in their languages.
Pray for the JESUS Film to be shown in their communities.
Pray for churches to adopt the Kamis.