The origin of Khawas Tharu people in Nepal is surrounded by myths and oral tradition. At one time they were bonded laborers. In 2000 bonded labor was classified as illegal in Nepal, however this people group still lack privileges that others enjoy.
Khawas Tharu people consider themselves people of the forest. They have lived in the forests for hundreds of years practicing a short fallow shifting cultivation. They plant rice, wheat, mustard, corn, and lentils, and collect forest products such as wild fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and materials to build their houses. They hunt deer, rabbits, and wild boar, and also fish in the rivers and lakes. They speak variants of Nepali. Khawas Tharu people traditionally lived in longhouses with big families of up to 31 members from four generations and between one and eight married couples. They pool their labor force, contribute their income, share the expenses, and use one kitchen. The eldest male person assumes responsibility for households. He assigns work to family members, is responsible for the family's social activities and must report income and expenses annually to the family.
Khawas Tharu 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 hoping to gain protection and benefits. They also practice animistic traditional beliefs, fearfully worshiping evil spirits that must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.
Their most important need is to know the living God who has provided payment of the penalty of their sins, and who loves them infinitely. Who will tell them? Written, visual, and audio Bible resources exist in their spoken language of Nepali, however they remain an unreached people group. They need practical helps like medical, educational and environmental aid. These needs are also potential doors for the gospel.
* Scripture Prayers for the Tharu Khawas in Nepal.
Pray for Holy Spirit-led disciples to enter the field of harvest among these people for whom Christ died and rose again. Pray that Khawas Tharu leaders would not only hear, but embrace the love of Father God, and tell their families of the eternal provision made for them. Pray that existing Bible resources will flow freely among this needy people, and that true spiritual hunger will grow and spread among their families resulting in a church planting movement.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharu_people
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Tharu Khawas |
People Name in Country | Tharu Khawas |
Natural Name | Khawas Tharu |
Population this Country | 1,800 |
Population all Countries | 1,800 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
Alternate Names | तरू, खवास |
People ID | 20779 |
ROP3 Code | 117300 |
Country | Nepal | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 48 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 9 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 48 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 9 |
Gandaki 1,100 | |
Lumbini 300 | |
Bagmati 200 | |
Sagarmatha 50 | |
Kosi 20 | |
Narayani 20 | |
Seti 10 | |
Janakpur 10 | |
Bheri 10 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Nepali (1,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Nepali (1,000 speakers) |
Language Code | npi Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Tharu, Kathariya 700 | |
Tharu, Dangaura 10 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching |
Audio Recordings | Online Audio Scripture |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio |
Film / Video | Following Jesus video |
Film / Video | God's Story video |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Nepali |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels |
Film / Video | Magdalena video |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime |
Film / Video | New Way (Naya Goreto) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
General | Biblical answers to your questions |
General | Gospel resources links |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Comic Book Version |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Nepali |
Text / Printed Matter | Children and youth resources |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
1.97 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.03 %
|
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. |