Nat (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan


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

Introduction / History

The Nat or Nut peoples name is derived from the Sanskrit word nata which means 'dancer '. They are a traditional occupational caste known for dancing and singing. The Nat have a generally lower caste status or in some states of India they are a Scheduled Caste. The Nat Muslim can be found in north India by the names Nar, Naitak or Natak, though a large majority of the Nat are Hindus. About 25% of Nat are Muslims.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As traditional dancers and acrobats that are often semi-nomadic, the Nat Muslims can still be found in acrobatic events and as singers, dancers or unskilled labourers. Men and women are known to sing and play the flute or dholak. Tattooing is common for women especially on the forehead. The Nat Muslims of Nepal speak Bhojpuri and Nepali. The Nat follow Sunni Muslim traditions and are non-vegetarian. They can be given in child marriages and nuclear families can be more common than extended families among them. The Nat Muslims tend to have a very low literacy rate.


What Are Their Needs?

It is possible that the Nat Muslim in the lower castes would be open to the Gospel but very few have ever tried and even fewer have worked with the Nat Muslim of Nepal! Small business development and micro loans could likely be a big encouragement to this entrepreneurial people group.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Nat (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2014-10-03
People Name General Nat (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Nat (Muslim traditions)
Population this Country 29,000
Population all Countries 198,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names Bajania; Bajania Nat; Bazigar; Bhanumati; Dapad; Gulgulia; Kalbelia; Karnat; Kutchwandh; Nut; Parnewala; Rai Nat; Sanchia; Sapela; Sapera; Sapera muslim; नट (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
People ID 17631
ROP3 Code 113067
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Punjab
20,000
Sindh
8,600
Balochistan
200
Islamabad
40
Country Pakistan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 7  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 4
  Punjab 20,000
  Sindh 8,600
  Balochistan 200
  Islamabad 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Pakistan census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Saraiki (15,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Sindhi
5,500
Punjabi, Western
4,900
Urdu
4,100
Dhatki
300
Marwari
80
Primary Language Saraiki (15,000 speakers)
Language Code skr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Sindhi 5,500
  Punjabi, Western 4,900
  Urdu 4,100
  Dhatki 300
  Marwari 80
People Groups Speaking Saraiki

Primary Language:  Saraiki

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1888-2009)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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 Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Saraiki Jesus Film Project
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 Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Saraiki Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2023  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Anonymous  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more