Kalaktang Monpa 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

The Kalaktang Monpa are believed to be the original inhabitants of the Kalaktang circle, from which they take their name. In the past, the Kalaktang Monpa did not possess a script, so their history was handed down in oral stories. Elderly Kalaktang Monpa men recall that their ancestors migrated to their present location from the Bumthang and Thalong areas in eastern Bhutan.


Where Are they Located?

Though most live in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, some have spilled over into neighboring Bhutan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kalaktang Monpa have a rich culture. They are skilled in dyeing, weaving, papermaking, carpentry, cane and bamboo work. They perform some very popular forms of a mask dance. Another source says, "they have many pantomime dances which are generally performed during the annual festivals, both in the monasteries and in the villages. The Ajilamu and yak dances are very popular." All Kalaktang Monpa were traditionally employed in farming or trading.


What Are Their Beliefs?

All Kalaktang Monpa are thought to believe in Tibetan Buddhism. Their sacred place is called goompha which is adorned with the images of Lord Buddha and the Bodhisattvas (incarnations of Lord Buddha). The lama is their priest and his services are required to perform the birth, marriage and death rituals. Simultaneously they practice pre-Buddhistic animism or shamanism. They believe their animistic priest called phrame cures diseases and removes evil spirits.

They share a common goompha (religious shrine) with other Buddhist communities. Some of the Kalaktang Monpa send their children to the goomphas in the different parts of the country to acquire training in Lamaism. They have also established matrimonial and religious links with the other Monpas, Sherdukpens, Tibetans, Khambas and Membas


What Are Their Needs?

The Kalaktang Monpa people need the opportunity to hear of the transforming grace of Jesus Christ, and be discipled in his ways.


Prayer Points

Pray these people will have their hearts ready to receive the good news. Ask God to send the appropriate workers to share with them the salvation and hope that Jesus brings.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring about a powerful disciple making movement among the Kalaktang Monpa people, both in India and Bhutan.


Scripture Prayers for the Monpa Kalaktang in Bhutan.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17207/IN
https://books.google.com/books?id=OzEOKNPsv2EC&pg=PA189&lpg=PA189&dq=Kalaktang+Monpa&source=bl&ots=u-d0mgvPEw&sig=ZfOQkoEP4ofe7ADeBen1wVduJfc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiV6p2szaLWAhUGzGMKHWj5Cc4Q6AEIVTAJ#v=onepage&q=Kalaktang%20Monpa&f=false
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monpa_people
https://www.mapsofindia.com/india-tour/arunachal-pradesh/the-monpas-torn-between-three-countries/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feOhAMCPoWY
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/index.php/issue/day/2010/08/28


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Monpa Kalaktang
People Name in Country Monpa Kalaktang
Natural Name Kalaktang Monpa
Alternate Names Kalaktan; Kalaktang; Moinba; Monba; Tsangla; Tsangla Monpa; मोनपा, कलकतंग
Population this Country 1,100
Population all Countries 2,700
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17207
ROP3 Code 112573
Country Bhutan
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 36  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
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 1
  Eastern 1,100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
100.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
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 Tshangla (1,100 speakers)
Language Code tsj   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tshangla (1,100 speakers)
Language Code tsj   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tshangla

Primary Language:  Tshangla

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2000)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2014-2023)
Bible-Complete No
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 One Story
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tshangla Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tshangla YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tshangla YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Peoples of the Buddhist World, Asia Harvest  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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