Khowa in India

The Khowa have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Identity

Approximately 800 people speak the Khowa language, which is commonly called Bugun, in north-east India. About half of all Khowa people 'reside in the two villages of Wanghoo and Singchung near the district headquarters at Bomdila in West Kameng District '. These communities are on the hillsides along both sides of the Rupa River (also known as Enga). 'The upper reaches of their land are lined by oak forests. The climate of the area is cold. In the upper reaches of the area, snowfall occurs in the months of January and February. The area experiences heavy rainfall in the months of May to August. '

The 1981 Indian census listed 625 Khowa people, down from a figure of 703 Khowa returned in the 1971 census. The Khowa 'are surrounded by the Sherdukpen on the west, with whom they share part of the Tanga valley, by the Monpas on the north, the Mijis or Dhamais on the east, and the Hrusos or Akas on the south '.

The Khowa language—which is an unclassified part of the Tibeto-Burman family—was first studied in the winter of 1913–14, when the British authorities compiled a 100-word list. Little research has been conducted since, except for brief reports by Ivan Simon (1976) and Rinchin Dondrup (1990). J N Chowdhury (1983) briefly mentions that the Khowa have 'a distinctive language which they zealously preserve '.


History

The Khowa say they originated in the north, in today's Tibet, before they moved southward in search of a new place to live. Locals believe that they arrived in the area before the Sherdukpen. For many years the Khowa were oppressed by the Aka tribe, who used to plunder them on the pretext of collecting taxes. The Khowa responded by relocating away from them. The Khowa are a colourful people. 'Their dresses during day-to-day occasions are very colourful which they also use during dances and festive occasions. That means they do not have any special dress for their dances and festivals, since they are colourful round the year. '


Religion

When the 1981 census was conducted, 606 of the 625 Khowa people stated that Buddhism was their religion. Two individuals said they were Hindus, eight were followers of 'other religions' (i.e., animists), and the remaining nine people did not state their religion. Other sources say that the Khowa believe in a mixture of traditional animism and Tibetan Buddhism. One researcher has found that the Khowa 'believe in one Supreme being who created the universe and life therein. They respect the Supreme God but do not worship [him].' Fear of demonic forces plays a major role in everyday Khowa life. For example, children are named immediately after birth, because 'the Khowas believe if there is a delay, some evil spirit will name the baby, and as a result the baby will suffer. When the child grows up to 16 to 17 years, the parents hold a worship called chhoacshao. This ritual is performed to please the spirit responsible for the welfare and betterment of the children. '


Christianity

There has never been a known Christian among this small tribe. Gospel audio recordings are available in the Khowa language, but are rarely utilized.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Khowa in India.


Profile Source:   Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Khowa
People Name in Country Khowa
Alternate Names Bugum; Bugun; Bunan; Bunun; Khoa; खोवा
Population this Country 1,700
Population all Countries 1,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 17180
ROP3 Code 112536
ROP25 Code 303993
ROP25 Name Khowa
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country About half of all Khowa people reside in the two villages of Wanghoo and Singchung near the district headquarters at Bomdila in West Kameng District.   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country About half of all Khowa people reside in the two villages of Wanghoo and Singchung near the district headquarters at Bomdila in West Kameng District..   Source:  Peoples of the Buddhist World, 2004
Total States 1
  Arunachal Pradesh 1,700
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
49.86 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
21.09 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
4.54 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
24.51 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bugun (1,400 speakers)
Language Code bgg   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Adi
70
Primary Language Bugun (1,400 speakers)
Language Code bgg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Adi 70
People Groups Speaking Bugun

Primary Language:  Bugun

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2018)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
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: Bugun YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Bugun YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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