Day 22 - The Mugal Nationality
Live in the western Himalayan range of Nepal, in the district of Mugu
| Population: |
Language: |
Religion: |
| 1,000-5,000 |
Mugal and Nepali |
Tibetan Buddhism |
The Mugal people in many ways resemble Tibetans. They are strong, healthy and tall, with a fair complexion and straight black hair. The people of Mugu speak their own Mugu language which is closely related to Tibetan, but most of the men can speak Nepali as well. Economically, there is quite a wide spread. In the mountain areas, they are very poor and most of them make a living through trading and weaving, or breeding livestock. In the main bazaar, however, there are some very wealthy Mugus as well. They wear clothing that is very similar to the Tibetan style of dress.
The Mugal people follow the religion of Tibetan Buddhism and are culturally and ethnically closely tied to Tibet. Most village priests are married agriculturalists and not the typical monks that you would expect to see. They mainly worship religion: the god named "Chomdendae" which is a four-legged Tibetan creature holding a flower and a prayer rosary.
Only a very small percentage of Mugals have ever heard the name of Jesus and the vast majority have had no exposure at all to the gospel message. They are very open and friendly to outsiders, but are also highly protective of their cultural and religious identity. They hold strongly to their rituals and customs. It is difficult to determine their receptivity because so little Christian work has been done amongst them.
Key Prayer Points:
- Mugals have strong ties to their lama lineage - every Mugal family sends a son to train as a Buddhist priest or "lama." This is very important to them and there are strong spiritual ties through these ancestral and family "priests." Pray that God would redeem this part their culture and that every family would begin to send a son or daughter to be trained for Christian ministry.
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- They are very devoted to Tibetan Buddhism. Every Mugal home has an area dedicated to worship rites. Pray that God would cause them to turn to Him and show the same devotion in their worship to Him.
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- Pray for protection of the "seeds sown" amongst them. Those who do, show any interest seem to come up against spiritual attack.
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