People group profile · PG006300
The Thakali of Nepal
The Thakali of Nepal, numbering about 17,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are an indigenous Himalayan ethnolinguistic community of Nepal's Kali Gandaki valley known for its historic role in trans-Himalayan trade, blending Tibetan Buddhist, indigenous, and Hindu traditions while maintaining a distinct Thakali identity.
They are an indigenous people in the South Asian Buddhist people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Folk Buddhism, and they primarily speak Nepali (individual language).
Fast facts
- Country
- Nepal
- Population
- 17,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- South Asian Buddhist
- Primary language
- Nepali (individual language) (npi)
- Primary religion
- Folk 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
- Dhaulagiri zone: Mustang District, Thak Khola, mid Kali Gandaki Valley, with Annapurna Himal on one side and Dhaulagiri Himal on the other, Tatopani village south to Jomosom north
Where they live
Gospel status
The Thakali 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 Thakali
- 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
Folk Buddhism · Buddhism
65% adherents
Primary language
Nepali (individual language) · Indo-European family
100% speak Nepali (individual language)
Gospel resources in Nepali (individual language)
- Bible available, published 2012
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
- JESUS (Darchuleli)
- JESUS (Baitadeli)
- JESUS (Acchami)
- JESUS (Bajureli)
- JESUS (Nepali)
- JESUS (Bajhangi)
- Magdalena (Nepali)
- The Savior (Nepali)
Bibles
- New Revised Version · video, audio
- New Revised Version - LUMO Christmas Film · video
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Thakali
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
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