Nai (Hindu traditions) 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 Hindu Nai people are located throughout India and the surrounding countries including Nepal. Their traditional occupation is that of cutting hair and nails. The Nai are known by dozens of other names depending on where they live.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Nai people are one of the lower castes, but nevertheless, they are needed by the higher castes. Many of the Nai men are barbers, and sometimes they also perform minor surgeries. The Nai are needed to prepare men for weddings, funerals, and other occasions that require them to have shaved heads. The women often serve the higher castes as midwives. In the past, Nai barbers worked from huts alongside the roads where travelers could stop for a quick trim. Today, many of them have opened small shops in the cities where they can earn up to three times as much as the barbers along the outlying roads. Though most are Hindu, some of the Nai people are Muslims.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Nai 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 in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama’s birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

Unfortunately, many of the Hindu Nai are illiterate or functionally illiterate. The gospel will have to be shared with them in oral and visual forms. Many resources are available in Hindi including the complete Bible, radio programs and the JESUS Film.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Nai people in the cities and villages will hear the gospel, believe, and spread the word to their friends, neighbors, and even their customers.
Pray for a great spiritual awakening among the Nai people in Nepal that will lead them to the only savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Nai (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nai (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Nai (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation nah-EE
Alternate Names Aduthon; Ambattan; Amrewal; Arayavati; Aryavathi; Awadhi; Awadhia; Awari; Bammeru; Banbiro; Banvaru; Bhajanthri; Bhandari; Bhandary; Deshabhandari; Dhanwal; Didhia; Ghaijo; Hadapad; Hajam; Hajjam; Hazam; Jadowal; Jallan; Juvwa; Kaikan; Kaila; Kaith; Kalseru Navaliga; Kanaujia; Karagar; Kawa; Kelashi; Kelasi; Kelasi Mhali; Kelasiga; Khadeer; Khalasi; Khalipha; Khawas; Kodiya; Kshaurak; Kshourika; Kuleen; Kuleen Brahman; Kuleen Brahmin; Kuleen-Brahman; Kuleen-Brahmin; Mahale; Mangala; Mangali; Matkos; Matwal; Nabhik; Nadig; Nai; Naia; Naipit; Naiya; Naland; Napit; Napitha; Navaliga; Navid; Naya; Nayanaja Kshatriya; Nayeebrahman; Nayinda; Nhavi; Niaria; Ossatha; Osta; Ovachar; Panwar; Panwari; Pariyaliga; Punwari; Raja; Rajaji; Rajwan; Sanmukh; Savitha; Sen Samaj; Shil; Thakur; Ustadji; Valand; Valand Nadig; Varik; Vavdichaksi; Wadhi; Wadhio; नई (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 136,000
Population all Countries 13,816,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 17745
ROP3 Code 113203
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 14
Largest States
Janakpur
34,000
Narayani
31,000
Sagarmatha
22,000
Lumbini
19,000
Kosi
12,000
Bheri
5,800
Bagmati
5,500
Mechi
3,500
Gandaki
900
Seti
700
Mahakali
600
Rapti
200
Dhaulagiri
70
Karnali
20
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 14
  Janakpur 34,000
  Narayani 31,000
  Sagarmatha 22,000
  Lumbini 19,000
  Kosi 12,000
  Bheri 5,800
  Bagmati 5,500
  Mechi 3,500
  Gandaki 900
  Seti 700
  Mahakali 600
  Rapti 200
  Dhaulagiri 70
  Karnali 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.05 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.08 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.86 %
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.
Primary Language Maithili (72,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
27,000
Awadhi
11,000
Nepali
4,000
Hindi
2,300
Angika
600
Magahi
500
Dotyali
200
Kumaoni
100
Marwari (India)
80
Bantawa
60
Rangpuri
40
Primary Language Maithili (72,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 27,000
  Awadhi 11,000
  Nepali 4,000
  Hindi 2,300
  Angika 600
  Magahi 500
  Dotyali 200
  Kumaoni 100
  Marwari (India) 80
  Bantawa 60
  Rangpuri 40
People Groups Speaking Maithili

Primary Language:  Maithili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010)
Bible-Complete No
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 One Story
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Maithili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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 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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Maithili Bible General / Other
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Maithili Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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