Chhetri in Bhutan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Bhutan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Jarra 700
Khatri 500
Matvali (Pawai) Unknown

Introduction / History

The name Chettri is based on the word warrior. At one time they migrated to India from Nepal, though many still live in Nepal. A smaller number live in Bhutan. Those in Nepal and Bhutan speak Nepali.

Most Nepalese speaking Chhetri live in small villages in hilly terrain and are accustomed to traveling long distances on foot. They are known for their cheerfulness, good humor, resourcefulness and self-confidence.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Chhetri are farmers. They live in small rural settlements that are situated near rivers or springs. The villages consist of loosely grouped homes surrounded by farmland. Only the poorest families do not own land. They grow wet rice during the monsoon season; dry rice, maize, millet and wheat are raised on drier land during the summer and winter months. They also cultivate vegetable gardens to feed their families. Most Chhetri farmers raise buffalo and goats for meat and cows for milk.

Chhetri villages consist of loosely grouped homes surrounded by farmland. The villages are generally situated near rivers or springs, and the homes are connected by footpaths. Sometimes the paths meet near a large tree that is used as a meeting place for the villagers, as well as a resting place for travelers. There are also several larger towns where the important temples or monasteries are located.

Chhetri houses are usually made of mudbrick with thatch or tin roofs. The bottom portions of the houses are painted with red clay, and the top halves are whitewashed. Most houses have two or more stories. The kitchen and living quarters are often located upstairs to keep them free of pollution by stray animals that might wander into the house. Most houses have porches and courtyards where people socialize and do crafts such as weaving.

Chhetri children, whether born to landowners or to servants, are treated well. Breast-feeding may continue until a child is three years old. There are many rites of passage for children, such as the first rice feeding and the first haircut. Also, girls go through puberty rites and boys go through initiations known as "sacred thread ceremonies." When they are about eight years old, the children begin doing domestic chores. Girls help care for the younger children, carry food for the animals and haul water. Boys usually tend to the animals.

Chhetri girls were traditionally married before they reached the age of ten. Now, they usually marry later, but still do not begin living with their husbands until they have matured.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Chhetri worship a pantheon of gods, most of which are associated with Hinduism. They have held onto their traditional animistic beliefs (a belief that non-human objects have spirits). They recognize local gods, goblins and spirits. They also believe in ghosts and demons that haunt the crossroads and rivers. They make offerings to these spirits to appease them.


What Are Their Needs?

Very few of Chhetri know Jesus, be they in Bhutan, India or Nepal. Christianity is looked at as a "foreigners" religion. New believers are considered off limits, the community you do not mix with. Prayer is the key to reaching the Chhetri with the gospel.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to make major inroads into Chhetri families in India, Nepal and Bhutan.
Pray for Nepali Christ followers to go to the Chhetri people in their midst.
Pray for Chhetri family heads to have dreams and visions of the risen and victorious Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Chhetri in Bhutan.


References

Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Chhetri
People Name in Country Chhetri
Pronunciation KSHEH-tree
Alternate Names Chheepi; Chhettri; Kshetri; च्छेत्री
Population this Country 4,300
Population all Countries 5,348,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 16589
ROP3 Code 111785
ROP25 Code 301708
ROP25 Name Chetri
Country Bhutan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 36  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Western
3,000
Southern
700
Eastern
600
Country Bhutan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 36  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 3
  Western 3,000
  Southern 700
  Eastern 600
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
20.83 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
79.17 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Bhutan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Nepali (4,300 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Nepali (4,300 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Nepali

Primary Language:  Nepali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1850-1961)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1821-2010)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1914-2012)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Nepali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video New Way (Naya Goreto) Create International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Photo Source Steve Evans - Flickr  Creative Commons 
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.



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