Badhai (Muslim traditions) in Nepal

People Name:	Badhai (Muslim traditions)
Country:	Nepal
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	2,700
World Population:	764,200
Primary Language:	Urdu
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.00 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	South Asia Hindu - Badhai
Affinity Bloc:	South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Badhai name comes from the Sanskrit vardhna which means “cutting.” The Hindu community of the Badhai believe that their name comes from Vishvakarma, the Hindu god said to be the architect of the universe. Vishvakarma was said to have created two people groups: the cutters of wood, or Badhai people, and the workers of iron, or Lohar people.

Most of those Badhai Muslims live in Uttar Pradesh, but others are scattered through north India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The small Badhai population in Nepal is found mainly in Rapti, Bheri and Sagarmatha Zones. They primarily speak Nepali but also use Urdu, Bhojpuri and Maithili.

What Are Their Lives Like?

As mentioned above, the Badhai are traditionally wood-cutters and carpenters. While carpentry is still common today, some have acquired land and are involved in agriculture. The men have a custom of wearing the dhoti, a banyan shirt, and a red cloth, or gamcha, over the shoulder. They are not vegetarians and prefer rice and wheat as staple grains.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Though most Badhai are Hindus, there are Badhai Muslims in Nepal who are Sunni Muslims. Sunni Muslims claim Allah is the one supreme God, who spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Ha

What Are Their Needs?

There are currently no known believers among these Muslims. They desperately need people to share the gospel with them so that they might be forgiven and reconciled to God. May woodworking Christians and other believers gain a burden for this group of peo

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to send Christians to the Badhai people who will share the gospel with them.
Pray the Lord will grant repentance and faith to the Badhai people, even using dreams to draw them to Himself.
Pray new believers would faithfully follow Christ, no matter the cost.
Pray God would provide new believers with courage to make disciples of those around them.