Chhetri 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.

Subgroups: 3

Subgroup Name Population
Jarra 788,000
Khatri 681,000
Matvali (Pawai) 81,000

Introduction / History

The Nepalese Chhetri are the major ethnic group in Nepal. They speak Nepali, which is the country's official language. The Nepalese have many racial, cultural, and linguistic similarities to the people of northern India. Their domestic and religious practices are also patterned after the higher Hindu castes of India.

Most Nepalese live in small villages in hilly terrain and are accustomed to traveling long distances on foot. They are known for their cheerfulness, good humor, resourcefulness, and self-confidence. Their population consists primarily of three castes, or social classes: the Brahmins (priests and scholars); the Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors); and the Achut (laborers and servants). The Achut perform the most polluted tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms. Many also beg and scavenge for a living. They are excluded from and considered ritually unclean by the other classes of Hindus.

Nepal opened its borders in 1951. However, foreign missionaries found it difficult to evangelize because of the strict government laws and scrutiny of foreigners.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Nepalese are farmers. They live in small rural settlements that are situated near rivers or springs. The villages consist of loosely grouped homes surrounded by farm land. Only the poorest families do not own land. In middle and southern Nepal, the land has been terraced for generations. Wet rice is grown during the monsoon season; dry rice, maize, millet, and wheat are raised on drier land during the summer and winter months. The Nepalese also cultivate vegetable gardens to feed their families. Most of the farmers raise buffalo and goats for meat and cows for milk.

Nepalese villages consist of loosely grouped homes surrounded by farm land. The villages are generally situated near rivers or springs, and the homes are connected by footpaths. Sometimes the paths meet together near a large tree that is used as a meeting place for the villagers, as well as a resting place for travelers. There are also a number of larger towns where the important temples or monasteries are located.

Houses are usually made of mud-brick with thatch or tin roofs. The bottom portions of the houses are painted with red clay, and the top halves are whitewashed. Most houses have two or more stories. The kitchen and living quarters are often located upstairs to keep them free of pollution by stray animals that might wander into the house. Most houses have porches and courtyards where people socialize and do crafts such as weaving.

Nepalese children, whether born to landowners or to servants, are treated well. Breast-feeding may continue until a child is three years old. There are many rites of passage for children, such as the first rice feeding and the first haircut. Also, girls go through puberty rites and boys go through initiations known as "sacred thread ceremonies." When they are about eight years old, the children begin doing domestic chores. Girls help care for the younger children, carry food for the animals, and haul water. Boys usually tend to the animals.

Nepalese girls were traditionally married before they reached the age of ten. Now, they usually marry later, but still do not begin living with their husbands until they have matured.


The Chhetri worship a pantheon of gods.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Although most Nepalese are Hindus, there are still a large number of Buddhists and Muslims. All of these groups have held onto their traditional animistic beliefs (a belief that non-human objects have spirits). They recognize local gods, goblins, and spirits. They also believe in ghosts and demons that haunt the crossroads and rivers. Offerings are made to these spirits in order to appease them.

With Hinduism embracing 330 million gods, Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, has more temples, houses, and idols than people.


What Are Their Needs?

Very few of the Nepalese in Nepal know Jesus. Christianity is looked at as the "foreigners" religion. New believers are considered off limits - the caste you do not mix with. Baptism is considered the ultimate proof of conversion, and the person performing the baptism can face up to a six-year prison term.

Prayer is the key to reaching the Nepalese with the Gospel.


Prayer Points

Pray that God will encourage and strengthen the Nepalese who have converted to Christianity.
Ask God to bless worship and intercession by Christians from other countries who come to prayer-walk in Nepal.


Scripture Prayers for the Chhetri in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet  

The Waiting World - The Nepali

Source:  The Waiting World      Download

People Name General Chhetri
People Name in Country Chhetri
Pronunciation KSHEH-tree
Alternate Names Chheepi; Chhettri; Kshetri; च्छेत्री
Population this Country 5,062,000
Population all Countries 5,307,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 101
PeopleID3 16589
ROP3 Code 111785
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country East and south central.   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States on file 14
Largest States
Bagmati
792,000
Seti
735,000
Mahakali
498,000
Rapti
497,000
Bheri
448,000
Kosi
347,000
Lumbini
282,000
Karnali
274,000
Janakpur
236,000
Gandaki
232,000
Mechi
232,000
Sagarmatha
201,000
Narayani
180,000
Dhaulagiri
109,000
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country East and south central..   Source:  www.ethnologue.com
Total States 14
  Bagmati 792,000
  Seti 735,000
  Mahakali 498,000
  Rapti 497,000
  Bheri 448,000
  Kosi 347,000
  Lumbini 282,000
  Karnali 274,000
  Janakpur 236,000
  Gandaki 232,000
  Mechi 232,000
  Sagarmatha 201,000
  Narayani 180,000
  Dhaulagiri 109,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.61 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.14 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
98.68 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.56 %
Unknown
0.01 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Nepali (3,857,000 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 47
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Dotyali
398,000
Bantawa
37,000
Humla
14,000
Musasa
12,000
Maithili
8,700
Chamling
7,800
Bhojpuri
7,100
Thulung
5,000
Raute
4,700
Wambule
3,800
Bahing
3,200
Sonha
3,200
Awadhi
2,600
Kumaoni
2,200
Khaling
2,200
Primary Language Nepali (3,857,000 speakers)
Language Code npi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 47
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Dotyali 398,000
  Bantawa 37,000
  Humla 14,000
  Musasa 12,000
  Maithili 8,700
  Chamling 7,800
  Bhojpuri 7,100
  Thulung 5,000
  Raute 4,700
  Wambule 3,800
  Bahing 3,200
  Sonha 3,200
  Awadhi 2,600
  Kumaoni 2,200
  Khaling 2,200
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  (1914-2024)
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
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Nepali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video New Way (Naya Goreto) Create International
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible and Resources in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
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 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Nepali Bible The Love Fellowship
Mobile App Android Bible app: TBS Nepali Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Nepali Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Ek Rasta Nepali General / Other
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Nepali Bible Stories Internet Publishing Sevice
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Nepali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Nepali Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Steve Evans - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Video Source The Waiting World
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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