People group profile · PG006197
The Darai of Nepal
The Darai of Nepal, numbering about 19,500 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an Indigenous people of Nepal's inner Terai in Chitwan and Tanahun, of Mongoloid origin yet speaking an Indo-Aryan dialect like the Tharu rather than a Tibeto-Burman language. Traditionally Hindu, many still tattoo their bodies and consult village shamans.
They are an indigenous people in the Nepali-Pahari people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Hinduism, and they primarily speak Darai.
Fast facts
- Country
- Nepal
- Population
- 19,500
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Nepali-Pahari
- Primary language
- Darai (dry)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Narayani zone: Chitawan District; Gandaki zone: Tanahu District; Lumbini zone: Nawalparasi, Palpa districts; Gandaki zone: Gorkha District
Where they live
Gospel status
The Darai are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Darai
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Gospel resources in Darai
- Bible available, published 2023
- JESUS Film not available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Darai
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
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