Yadav Kaonra in Nepal

People Name:	Yadav Kaonra
Country:	Nepal
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	3,500
World Population:	761,500
Primary Language:	Maithili
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Hindu - Yadav
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

It's easy to find out who a Yadav is. Just ask them their name and they will tell you their first name followed by their title which is always Yadav. Previously the Yadav were called Ahir. The name Ahir is derived from 'Abhira' which is an immigrant tribe found in the inscriptions and Hindu sacred books. The Abhira appear to have been one of the immigrant tribes from Central Asia. They are spoken of as robbers and foreigners. They claim connection to the god Krishna since he was a herdsman. The Yadav are a caste comprised of milkmen, cowherds, cattle raisers and laborers. Their traditional occupation is animal husbandry and selling animal products. The Yadav consist of both landowning and landless people. Like other communities in Nepal, the Yadavs have their subgroups. One of these are the Kaonra Yadavs who have intermarried with Gonds and Kawars.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Yadav are businessmen, teachers, doctors, engineers, and political leaders. In 2008 Nepal became a democratic country. The first president was Ram Baran Yadav. The Yadav live in joint families. Most of them are vegetarian but many eat fish, mutton, chicken and sometimes pork, but not beef. Child labor is common among them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yadav participate in the local traditional and socio-religious festivals. They have expertise in oral traditions and group singing in praise of the god Vishnu, Krishna or one of the many other gods that they worship. Similarly, they are good in musical dance and wrestling. In India in some places they are also known to do some mock-fighting with swords but in Nepal that is not known (as far as we know). Boys are favored for formal education. They are known to have more faith in astrology and talismans rather than in the services of a doctor.

What Are Their Needs?

They need to hear about the way of salvation in the Name of Jesus! But also life, lifestyle and living standard are changing all over the nation. The next generation will need to get other kinds of jobs. To get those jobs they need education, but proper education is missing in many places (especially in the villages).

Prayer Points

Pray for harvesters to go to the Kaonra Yadav in Nepal. Pray for this Yadav group to have a spiritual hunger that will lead then to the cross and the empty grave. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Kaonra Yadav in Nepal.