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People group profile · PG006272

The Walung of Nepal

The Walung of Nepal, numbering about 1,700 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a Tibetan-descended trading people of Nepal's upper Tamor Valley near the Tibet border, whose settlement at Olangchung Gola served for centuries as a trade entrepot linking Tibet, Nepal, and India, home to the Nyingmapa monastery Deki Chholing Gompa.

They are an indigenous people in the South Asian Tribal people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Tibetan Buddhism, and they primarily speak Walungge.

Pray for the WalungPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Walung people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash: Walung

Fast facts

Country
Nepal
Population
1,700
Affinity group
Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
People cluster
South Asian Tribal
Primary language
Walungge (ola)
Primary religion
Tibetan Buddhism
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
Kosi province: Sankhuwasabha district, Makalu municipality, Pawakhola village; Taplejung district, Mikwakhola municipality, Simbuk, and Papung villages; Phaktanglung municipality, Ghunsa, Lungthung, and Olangchung Gola villages; Sirijangha municipality,

Where they live

Gospel status

The Walung 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 No
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Walung

  • 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

Primary religion

Tibetan Buddhism · Buddhism

99% adherents

Primary language

Walungge · Sino-Tibetan family

71% speak Walungge

Gospel resources in Walungge

  • Bible not available
  • 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 Walung

  1. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  2. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
  3. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  4. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.

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