Koch (Hindu traditions) in Nepal

Introduction / History

The Koch people live in a small pocket of land along the Indian border in northwestern Dhaka division. These Koch speak a Tibeto-Burman language, and this distinguishes them from a much larger group of Koch (sometimes spelled Cooch) who speak an Indo-Aryan language. Within Bangladesh the Tibeto- Burman Koch generally continue to follow their traditional "Sonaton" religion, though some say they are Hindu.
The Koch community is not only in Bangladesh, but also in India and Nepal. Their numbers in Nepal are low, and much of what we know about them originates in how they live in the other two South Asian countries.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Both the Tintekiya and the Chapra Koch are primarily farmers, with some farming their own land and most working as hired day laborers for neighboring Bengalis. They continue to live primarily in Koch villages in simple homes with mud walls and floors and thatched or corrugated tin roofs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There are Koch people who are Hindu and some who are Muslim. Most of those in Nepal are Hindu like the Nepali majority.

What Are Their Needs?

The Koch are poor and uneducated. A Christian education and/or community development organization could possibly be a blessing to the Koch. At the same time, it seems the Koch tend to equate Christianity with opportunities for education and health care and need someone to share true Christianity with them.

Prayer Points

Pray for all Koch peoples to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek Christ no matter what the cost.
Pray for Indian and Nepali Christians to be Christ bearers to the Koch people.
Pray for Koch disciples to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project