People group profile · PG049116
The Damai of Nepal
The Damai of Nepal, numbering about 680,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a Nepali Scheduled Caste of West Bengal and Sikkim, also known as Darjee, whose name derives from damaha, a drum, traditionally serving as tailors and hereditary musicians at Nepali wedding ceremonies.
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 Nepali (individual language).
Fast facts
- Country
- Nepal
- Population
- 680,000
- Affinity group
- South Asian Peoples
- People cluster
- Nepali-Pahari
- Primary language
- Nepali (individual language) (npi)
- Primary religion
- Hinduism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, Concentrated CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Pioneer Unreached People Group
- Region
- Southern Asia, Asia
- Location
- West Bengal: Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts; also Sikkim
Where they live
Gospel status
The Damai 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 but there has been initial or concentrated church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years Concentrated Church Planting
Next steps for the Damai
- 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
99% 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 Damai
- 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.
Damai in other countries
The same people (ROP3 111878) is reported in 1 other country.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damai (Nepali) | India | 67,500 | No Longer Unreached |
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