Mewahang in Nepal

The Mewahang have only been reported in Nepal
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Other / Small (Kirati)
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Mewahang people, also known as Newange Rai, are part of the South Himalayan people cluster within the Tibetan / Himalayan Peoples affinity bloc. They are found exclusively in Nepal. Their primary language is Eastern Mewahang, which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family. The language is endangered and not widely taught in schools, though it is still spoken by adults in the community.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mewahang people live in remote mountainous regions of eastern Nepal. Their lifestyle is shaped by subsistence agriculture, animal husbandry, and local trade. Communities are small and tightly knit, with strong kinship ties and traditional customs. Due to geographic isolation, access to education, healthcare, and infrastructure is limited, contributing to economic challenges and social marginalization.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mewahang people primarily practice Hinduism, the dominant religion of the Indian subcontinent. Hinduism among the Mewahang includes worship of various deities, participation in temple rituals, and observance of festivals. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own beliefs and practices.


What Are Their Needs?

They need a complete Bible translation in the Mewahang language to make Scripture accessible to their community. They need radio broadcasts, the JESUS Film, and other visual gospel tools in their language to support evangelism and discipleship. They need trained local leaders and church planters who can minister effectively within their cultural context.
Mewahangs need holistic development initiatives, including education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, to improve their quality of life and support spiritual growth.


Prayer Items

Pray for the translation of the Old Testament and gospel media into the Mewahang language.
Ask God to raise up workers and local leaders who can share Christ in culturally sensitive ways.
Pray for spiritual openness and transformation among Mewahang families and villages.
Pray for the development of Christian radio broadcasts and other media outreach to reach isolated communities.
Pray for the establishment of churches among the Mewahang people.


Scripture Prayers for the Mewahang in Nepal.


References

AI generated by Copilot


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mewahang
People Name in Country Mewahang
Alternate Names मेवाहंग
Population this Country 4,100
Population all Countries 4,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 20746
ROP3 Code 107216
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Kosi
3,000
Mechi
1,000
Narayani
100
Mahakali
40
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 4
  Kosi 3,000
  Mechi 1,000
  Narayani 100
  Mahakali 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Other / Small (Kirati)
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
2.46 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
20.08 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
76.43 %
Unknown
1.03 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Mewahang, Eastern (2,300 speakers)
Language Code emg   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
Mewahang, Western
1,500
Nepali
40
Primary Language Mewahang, Eastern (2,300 speakers)
Language Code emg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 3
Secondary Languages
  Mewahang, Western 1,500
  Nepali 40
People Groups Speaking Mewahang, Eastern

Primary Language:  Mewahang, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2020)
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App iOS Bible app direct APK download SIL
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.