The Hindu Nai people are located throughout India and the surrounding countries including Nepal. Their traditional occupation is that of cutting hair and nails. The Nai are known by dozens of other names depending on where they live.
The Nai people are one of the lower castes, but nevertheless, they are needed by the higher castes. Many of the Nai men are barbers, and sometimes they also perform minor surgeries. The Nai are needed to prepare men for weddings, funerals, and other occasions that require them to have shaved heads. The women often serve the higher castes as midwives. In the past, Nai barbers worked from huts alongside the roads where travelers could stop for a quick trim. Today, many of them have opened small shops in the cities where they can earn up to three times as much as the barbers along the outlying roads. Though most are Hindu, some of the Nai people are Muslims.
Most Nai people in Nepal practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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.
Unfortunately, many of the Hindu Nai are illiterate or functionally illiterate. The gospel will have to be shared with them in oral and visual forms. Many resources are available in Hindi including the complete Bible, radio programs and the JESUS Film.
Pray that the Nai people in the cities and villages will hear the gospel, believe, and spread the word to their friends, neighbors, and even their customers.
Pray for a great spiritual awakening among the Nai people in Nepal that will lead them to the only savior.
Scripture Prayers for the Nai (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Nai (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Nai (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation |
nah-EE
|
Alternate Names | Aduthon; Ambattan; Amrewal; Arayavati; Aryavathi; Awadhi; Awadhia; Awari; Bammeru; Banbiro; Banvaru; Bhajanthri; Bhandari; Bhandary; Deshabhandari; Dhanwal; Didhia; Ghaijo; Hadapad; Hajam; Hajjam; Hazam; Jadowal; Jallan; Juvwa; Kaikan; Kaila; Kaith; Kalseru Navaliga; Kanaujia; Karagar; Kawa; Kelashi; Kelasi; Kelasi Mhali; Kelasiga; Khadeer; Khalasi; Khalipha; Khawas; Kodiya; Kshaurak; Kshourika; Kuleen; Kuleen Brahman; Kuleen Brahmin; Kuleen-Brahman; Kuleen-Brahmin; Mahale; Mangala; Mangali; Matkos; Matwal; Nabhik; Nadig; Nai; Naia; Naipit; Naiya; Naland; Napit; Napitha; Navaliga; Navid; Naya; Nayanaja Kshatriya; Nayeebrahman; Nayinda; Nhavi; Niaria; Ossatha; Osta; Ovachar; Panwar; Panwari; Pariyaliga; Punwari; Raja; Rajaji; Rajwan; Sanmukh; Savitha; Sen Samaj; Shil; Thakur; Ustadji; Valand; Valand Nadig; Varik; Vavdichaksi; Wadhi; Wadhio; नई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 137,000 |
Population all Countries | 14,465,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 3 |
People ID | 17745 |
ROP3 Code | 113203 |
ROP25 Code | 305805 |
ROP25 Name | Nai |
Country | Nepal | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 14 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 14 |
Janakpur 34,000 | |
Narayani 31,000 | |
Sagarmatha 23,000 | |
Lumbini 19,000 | |
Kosi 12,000 | |
Bheri 5,900 | |
Bagmati 5,500 | |
Mechi 3,500 | |
Gandaki 900 | |
Seti 700 | |
Mahakali 600 | |
Rapti 200 | |
Dhaulagiri 70 | |
Karnali 20 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.05 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.08 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.86 %
|
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 | Maithili (72,000 speakers) | ||||||||||||
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing | ||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||||||||
Total Languages | 12 | ||||||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Maithili (72,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 12 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 27,000 | |
Awadhi 11,000 | |
Nepali 4,000 | |
Hindi 2,300 | |
Angika 600 | |
Magahi 500 | |
Dotyali 200 | |
Kumaoni 100 | |
Marwari (India) 80 | |
Bantawa 60 | |
Rangpuri 40 | |
People Groups | Speaking Maithili |
Primary Language: Maithili
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2010) |
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 |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |