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People group profile · PG049123

The Ghandarbav of Nepal

The Ghandarbav of Nepal, numbering about 10,500 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a traditional musician caste in Nepal, historically known as itinerant bards who played the sarangi and sang folk songs called Gandarbha Geet.

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).

Pray for the GhandarbavPrint profile

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

Fast facts

Country
Nepal
Population
10,500
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, No Recent CP Activity
Lostness priority ?
Expanding Unreached People Group
Also known as
Gainey
Region
Southern Asia, Asia
Location
Widespread

Where they live

Gospel status

The Ghandarbav 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 Ghandarbav

  • 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

Hinduism

97% 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

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Ghandarbav

  1. Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
  2. Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
  3. Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
  4. John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.

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