About the People

The sub-Himalayan region of the Brahmi* (Brahmiland) is ethnically diverse and was ruled by various and competing dynasties for over one thousand years. In the late 18th through early 19th centuries, many principalities united to form a state. This was also a time of geographic expansion, but wars with surrounding nations ultimately frustrated progress. During the British conquest of India, the state formed an alliance with the British in order to maintain its independence. The last century has brought many changes to governing the people, from the former years of autocracy to experiments with constitutional monarchies and multiparty parliamentary political systems and, more recently, a federal parliamentary republic.

The highly diverse population often experiences demographic pressure, with social divisions causing disadvantages among certain ethnicities often denied equal opportunities under the law. The demographics include more females than males, leading to an increased incidence of early childhood marriage and a growing number of women receiving no schooling.

Located in Southern Asia, it has an area slightly larger than New York state. Earthquakes are common. The climate ranges from pleasant summers and harsh winters in the north to subtropical summers and mild winters in the south. With many beautiful views throughout the land, forests and mountains abound; yet, the terrain also creates issues providing access to public services for many. Flat river plains are common in the south, with hills in the central region and rugged mountains in the north. Forests cover more than 37 percent of the land, and many are highly biodiverse and carbon-dense. The region provides for timber harvesting, hydropower generation, and quartz mining, with smaller copper, cobalt and iron ore operations. The land yields grains such as rice, corn and wheat, plus potatoes, vegetables, sugarcane and many delicious fruits, including mangoes and guava.

Although the land is productive, its soil fertility is declining, resulting in poor nutrition. Only about one in four people have access to safely managed water supplies, and the land is susceptible to flooding in some areas and water scarcity in others. Although the Brahmi export many products that we rely on or enjoy, such as palm and soybean oils, flavored waters, carpets and apparel, the people face low incomes.

About the Project

With close to 300 people groups, the majority of Brahmis remain unreached. The country is primarily Hindu, but Buddhism and Islam are also present. Seventh-day Adventist presence in Brahmiland is small, with less than 10,000 members among the country’s more than 30,000,000 population. Seventh-day Adventist believers in the country envision starting medical work in some remote eastern communities, where access to medical care is limited. Through God’s leading, this medical work will open into church planting within one of the unreached people groups. AFM will partner with the Adventist church in this endeavor. We greatly desire your prayers and partnership.

* Name changed to protect missionaries and the people to whom they minister.

People-Group Facts

• Population: 30.4 million
• Trade Language: Undisclosed
• Religion: 65% Hindu, 30% Catholic