The origin of the Chepang is unclear, but there are numerous legends that tell of their relationship to Lav, son of the Hindu god, Rama. Unlike the Brahmans and the Tamangs, the Chepang are quite short in stature and have Mongoloid features. They have flat noses, black hair, and are relatively thin. Although they are no longer a nomadic tribe, the Chepang still maintain their own separate and unique tribal identity.

What are their lives like?
For over a thousand years, the Chepang lived in very poor conditions. This century, their quality of life began to improve due to the development of progressive agricultural techniques. Before they began to settle in villages, the Chepang led a nomadic life, doing some fishing and hunting. Today, they live in sheds made of tree branches and cultivate crops such as maize and millet. They still have customs akin to nomadic life, such as using traps to catch birds and gathering various forest products.

Their habitat is suitable for raising livestock, but unfortunately, they do not possess enough practical knowledge to be successful. They primarily raise goats, cows, bulls, pigs, and occasionally a few buffalo. For at least half of the year, they eat quite well as a result of their agricultural efforts. However, for the other half of the year, they exist on the products of the forests and remain suspended on the edge of starvation. Some Chepang hire themselves out as laborers in various areas away from their villages.

The Chepang live as extended family units, often with three generations living in the same house. If a family has many sons, or if a son has many wives, the men will live separately with their wives and children. The family structure is patrilineal (line of descent traced through the males) and predominantly patriarchal (male dominated), but the mother plays an important social role.

Marriage among the Chepang is an extremely extravagant affair and more complicated than among other Nepalese hill tribes. When a child is born, the mother is considered polluted, and the household must observe cleansing rituals for eight days. On the ninth day, the child is given a name. Twenty-two days after birth, the mother is considered purified and is allowed to resume her participation in any social, religious, or community gatherings.

The Chepang are without a distinct tribal costume, partly as a result of their past nomadic traditions. The men wear loin cloths and vest-like clothes called bhotos, while the women wear saris (wrap-around dresses) and cholos (full sleeved blouses). Bangles made of glass and plastic, along with various hair ornaments, are worn by women to show their marital status.

What are their beliefs?
The Chepang are primarily ethnic religionists. However, they have integrated many beliefs and practices from other religions into their own unique system. Many rituals are performed, and a variety of deities are worshipped. An important ritual the Chepang observe is known as the Kulain Puja, which involves the worship of dead ancestors.

What are their needs?
Nepal has long been hidden away and forgotten by most of the world. Fiercely opposed to any form of proselytizing, government restrictions and subsequent penalties for Christian witnessing have been harsh. Many believers have spent significant periods of time in prison for their beliefs.

It seems that while some of the Chepang may have heard of Jesus Christ, they still do not have a concept of a creator God or of sin. Many have never seen a Bible, and there are only a handful of believers.

Prayer Points

• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that have kept the Chepang bound for many generations.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil of Nepal through worship and intercession.
• Pray that God will supernaturally reveal Himself to the Chepang through dreams and visions.
• Ask God to speed the completion of the Jesus film and other Christian materials into the Chepang language.
• Pray that the doors of Nepal will soon open to missionaries.
• Pray that God will provide greater freedom to live and work among the Chepang.
• Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Chepang Christians.
• Ask the Lord to bring forth a triumphant Chepang church for the glory of His name!

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Chepang
• Country: Nepal
• Their language: Chepang
• Population: (1990) 21,600
  (1995) 24,600
  (2000) 28,000
• Largest religion: Ethnic religionist 94%
• Christian: 6%
• Church members: 1,480
• Scriptures in their own language: Portions
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 4,900 (20%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 3,200 (13%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 1,700 (7%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 19,700 (80%)

• Country: Nepal
• Population: (1990) 19,253,000
  (1995) 21,917,700
  (2000) 24,841,500
• Major peoples in size order: Nepalese (55.1%)
  Maitili (10.8%)
  Bhojpuri Bihari (7.8%)
  Newar (2.9%)
  Saptari Tharu (2.9%)
• Major religions: Hindus (87.5%)
  Buddhists (6.9%)
  Muslims (3.5%)
• Number of denominations: 27