Magar in Bhutan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

Magars are one of the oldest known tribes in Nepal; however, their origin is unclear. They are believed to be of Tibetan descent because their language and dances are similar to those within Tibetan cultures.

The Magars are divided into several groups: Western, Eastern, and Southern. As a people they speak both Nepali and their own language. Taken together, these groups number some seven percent of Nepal's population.


Where Are they Located?

Some of the Magar people live in the plains where the Himalayan hills begin. Others occupy the lower hills of the Mahabharat Lekh while a few inhabit the high-altitude mountain areas. Magar people live in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

These hardworking, self-sufficient, honest people make a living as craftsmen, farmers, miners, smiths, doctors, educators, civil servants, lawyers, journalists, and other occupations. Some are illiterate.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Magar people practice many religions including a blend of Buddhism and Hinduism, worshipping Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. They also practice traditional animism. Less than one percent follow Jesus, and it is unclear how much of the New Testament is available to them in their language.

"Life cycle rituals" are a very important part of Magar society. A special birth ceremony is held 11 days after a child is born. The baby is named and then washed for the first time. One festival known as Jyestha Poornima is observed in May or June at the time of the full moon. During the ceremony, freshly harvested grains are offered to the gods.


What Are Their Needs?

These folk need Jesus. They need to worship the truth, not Hindu deities. They need the Bible in their heart language. They also need true religious freedom so they can put their faith in Jesus without being persecuted.


Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual hunger among Magar people in Bhutan and Nepal.
Pray that Christ-centered fellowships and a disciple making movement will take root in Magar society.
Pray for the Bible to be translated and courage for the few Magar believers to be true to their faith.


Scripture Prayers for the Magar in Bhutan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11698/NP
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11698/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11698/BG
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/refugees-from-bhutan-hope-for-a-more-colorful-future-here/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/Magar-People-of-Nepal-and-Tibet/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Magar
People Name in Country Magar
Alternate Names Bara Mangar; Eastern Magar; Gurkha; Magari; Mangar; Mangari; Thami; Thapa; मगर
Population this Country 2,800
Population all Countries 2,590,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 11698
ROP3 Code 102848
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
2,100
Eastern
600
Southern
200
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 2,100
  Eastern 600
  Southern 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
25.10 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
74.90 %
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 Assamese
Language Code asm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
Bengali Magar, Eastern Nepali
Primary Language Assamese
Language Code asm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 4
Secondary Languages
  Bengali
  Magar, Eastern
  Nepali
People Groups Speaking Assamese

Primary Language:  Assamese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1822-1974)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1819-1993)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1833-2022)
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
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Assamese Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Assamese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Assamese Bible (অসমীয়া বাইবেল) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Assamese Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Assamese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Assamese Bible Kalaam Media Ltd
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Assamese Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Online New Testament (Bibles India) Operation Agape
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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