Newah in Nepal


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

The Newah, one of the most cultured ethnic groups in Nepal, were the country's earliest inhabitants. Though the Newah are scattered throughout Nepal, they are primarily concentrated in the Katmandu Valley and in surrounding countries. They speak Newahi, a Tibeto-Burman language that has borrowed many words from Sanskrit, Maithili, and Nepali. There are several dialects of Newahi, and it is written in the Devanagari script.

Some Newars are self-consciously Hindu and others self-consciously Buddhist but most Newars would not recognise the distinction. For them it is more important to follow the traditions of the ancestors than it is to argue about religious affiliation or doctrine.

Newar society is traditionally a caste-based society (as in India) with distinct caste-systems being centred in each of the old royal cities (Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur). Traditionally intermarriage was largely restricted to one's fellow caste members and boys were expected to follow the occupation of their fathers. Today the modern economy means there is theoretically freedom to follow almost any trade but inter-caste marriage is still widely frowned upon if not seriously punished.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Katmandu Valley is located at the center of the India-Tibet trade route, and most of the Newah are skillful merchants and traders. Many others have found government jobs, and a few are farmers. Some of the farmers use tractors, but many still cultivate the land with short handled hoes called kus. Rice is the staple food of the Newah. It is eaten with soup, vegetables, and some meats.

Unlike many other tribes in Nepal, the Newah are not usually recruited into the military. In recent years, Katmandu Valley has become the major political and administrative region of the nation. This has enabled more of the Newah to find employment in administrative areas and construction work. Tourism is also becoming an important industry.

Most Newah settlements are built on elevated ground surrounded by farmland. The settlements look like small cities. Rows of three-story brick buildings stand along narrow lanes. The settlements have many ornate Buddhist and Hindu temples, which are-besides Mount Everest-the most important tourist attractions in Nepal.

Newah societies are patrilineal, which means that the line of descent is traced through the males. Members of the same family line generally worship the same gods. Marriages are almost always arranged by the parents, and a mediator is used to complete the formalities.

The artistic talents of the Newah are displayed in their sculptures and architecture. Inspired by Indian tradition, unique styles of palaces, temples, monasteries, fountains, and residential buildings have developed. They are often decorated with wooden carvings and equipped with stone or metal sculptures. The walls are covered with religious paintings, scrolls, and manuscripts. Drums, cymbals, and wind instruments are played during the religious festivals and rituals.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Hinduism, Buddhism, and traditional ethnic beliefs are all a part of the Newah's religious lives.

Newahs worship a multitude of gods, many of which are local gods and others of which are more clearly identified with the prestigious deities worshipped to the south, especially Shiva. They also believe in the existence of demons, hostile spirits the dead, ghosts, and witches. Traditional practices include the digu dya rituals, in which frogs are fed after rice planting. Cremation grounds, crossroads, and huge stones are thought to be favorite haunting places. Diseases are believed to be caused by the ill will of the "mother goddess," witchcraft, or evil spells. Treatments include reciting incantations, making offerings to the gods, and using herbs and other medicines.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bible has been translated into the Newahi language, and several other Christian resources are available to the Newah at this time. Prayer is the key to reaching these precious people with the Gospel.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go and share Christ with the Newah.
Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to missions agencies currently focusing on the Newah.
Pray that God will give the Newah believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the spiritual soil of Nepal through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a strong and growing Newah church for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the Newah in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Newah
People Name in Country Newah
Alternate Names Mewar; Nepal Bhasa; Newar; नेवाह
Population this Country 1,522,000
Population all Countries 1,717,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 30
PeopleID3 13322
ROP3 Code 107217
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Primarily in densely populated Kathmandu Valley.   Source:  Joshua Project
Total States on file 14
Largest States
Bagmati
937,000
Kosi
106,000
Gandaki
99,000
Janakpur
94,000
Narayani
86,000
Lumbini
61,000
Mechi
48,000
Sagarmatha
47,000
Bheri
14,000
Rapti
12,000
Dhaulagiri
9,300
Seti
5,300
Mahakali
3,000
Karnali
1,100
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Primarily in densely populated Kathmandu Valley..   Source:  Joshua Project
Total States 14
  Bagmati 937,000
  Kosi 106,000
  Gandaki 99,000
  Janakpur 94,000
  Narayani 86,000
  Lumbini 61,000
  Mechi 48,000
  Sagarmatha 47,000
  Bheri 14,000
  Rapti 12,000
  Dhaulagiri 9,300
  Seti 5,300
  Mahakali 3,000
  Karnali 1,100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
15.40 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.91 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
83.20 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.46 %
Unknown
0.02 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Newar (847,000 speakers)
Language Code new   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Nepali
459,000
Bantawa
5,100
Dotyali
4,000
Maithili
1,800
Musasa
1,300
Bhojpuri
1,300
Chamling
800
Awadhi
600
Thulung
600
Khaling
400
Bahing
300
Nepalese Sign Language
300
Kewat
200
Wambule
200
English
200
Primary Language Newar (847,000 speakers)
Language Code new   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 24
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Nepali 459,000
  Bantawa 5,100
  Dotyali 4,000
  Maithili 1,800
  Musasa 1,300
  Bhojpuri 1,300
  Chamling 800
  Awadhi 600
  Thulung 600
  Khaling 400
  Bahing 300
  Nepalese Sign Language 300
  Kewat 200
  Wambule 200
  English 200
People Groups Speaking Newar

Primary Language:  Newar

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1964-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1986-2015)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2015)
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 Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Newar Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
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 Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 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: Newar YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Newari Bible NMB Apps
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Newar YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Photo Source Don Brown 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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