Day 13 - The Tharu Nationality 

Located in the Terai (plains) along the entire length of southern Nepal

The Tharu people are spread throughout the southern plains of Nepal. This group is made up of many different groups the main ones being: Dangaura, Rana, Chitwania, Kochila, Kathoriya. Each group has their own language and cultural distinctions. 

The Tharu live on the edge of forests and farm the plains. They also use the forests to trap animals, collect fruits, roots, herbs and to fish in its small rivers and streams. Their religion, traditionally animistic, is now overlaid with Hinduism. They worship various animals such as the monkey, snake, and cow. Every Tharu home contains a household god who is offered blood sacrifices of a chicken and pigeon, as well as milk and silk cloth. In many Tharu homes, they also appease this god with the blood of the male of the household in a ceremony where he makes superficial cuts on his forehead, arms, throat, legs and chest. The Tharus staple foods are: rice eaten with fish, chicken, pork, rabbit, pigeon, tortoise, etc. as well as dahl and vegetables.

Traditionally, Tharu women decorate the walls of their one storied mud homes with colorful paintings of elephants, horses, parrots and flowers. Those women who are married also adorn their hands, legs and breasts with elaborate and artistic tattoos, although this practice is becoming more rare. 

The Tharu my have a concept of a Creator, or supreme God, but most would not have heard the name of Jesus. More than 90% of Tharus have no gospel witness readily available to them. There is a greater availability however, and some limited outreach taking place in the West of Nepal.

Key Prayer Points: