People group profile · PG047102
The Baltistani Bhotia of India
The Baltistani Bhotia of India, numbering about 151,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are Tibetic-descended Muslims of Ladakh's Kargil district along the Indus and Suru valleys, converted from Buddhist and Bon traditions by Sufi missionaries after the fourteenth century, historically renowned as horsemen and porters on Silk Route trails.
They are an indigenous people in the Tibetan people cluster of the Tibetan Peoples. Their primary religion is Sunni Islam, and they primarily speak Balti.
Fast facts
- Country
- India
- Population
- 151,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Tibetan
- Primary language
- Balti (bft)
- Primary religion
- Sunni Islam
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC ?
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority ?
- Frontier Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Baltistani Bhotia 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 Baltistani Bhotia
- 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
Sunni Islam · Islam
98% adherents
Primary language
Balti · Sino-Tibetan family
100% speak Balti
Gospel resources in Balti
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Baltistani Bhotia
- 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.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
Baltistani Bhotia in other countries
The same people is also reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltistani Bhotia | Pakistan | 512,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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