Mech in Nepal







Largest Religion

Main Language


Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center

Introduction / History

The Mech settled centuries ago in the sub-Himalayan regions of Assam and West Bengal. They are members of the Mongoloid race, who moved from the north into southwestern China. Most eventually migrated into Burma and Indonesia, but a branch of the tribe remained in India. Today, the Mech build their villages in the forests and hills of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch-Behar districts. Related to the Bodo and Kachari, they speak Bodo, a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family.


What are Their Lives Like?

The Mech are very hospitable, friendly people. They are amiable, intelligent, and honest. Although they have an ancient history of being headhunters, they are free from arrogance, revenge, and cruelty. The Mech marry within their own tribe and within any of their septs. Women are forbidden to engage in any premarital sexual activity, and any sexual offenses are heavily punished. Husbands generally have great respect for their wives, who have absolute control over the household affairs and are consulted in all family and social matters. Most households consist of extended families, as the sons bring their wives home after marriage. Fathers are responsible for training their sons in economic skills, and mothers train their daughters in household duties.



What are Their Beliefs?

The Mech religious beliefs are a blend of animism (belief that non-human objects have spirits) and Hinduism. Like many primitive tribes, their idea of gods developed from the concept of "dynamism" or "power." Anything that appeared to possess superhuman power was regarded as an object of worship. The Mech worshipped-and still worship-the rivers, forests, celestial bodies, snakes, and certain plants. Tree-worship is an important custom, for every tree is a symbol of life. The Mech believe that trees have souls like their own and that the tree-soul is capable of being transferred to humans and animals. The great god of the Mech-the Bathou (the Euphorbia plant)-is worshipped in every Mech household. Most of the ancient Mech gods now have Vedic names but have retained the old, animistic qualities.


What are Their Needs?


Prayer Points

* Pray that the Lord will set the Mech free from fear of their gods.
* Ask God to grant wisdom and favor to the missions agencies that are focusing on the Mech.

Submit a new profile or correction

Submit an update
Country Nepal
Continent Asia
Region South Asia
10/40 Window No
Location in Country Jhapa District of Mechi Zone.
Submit an update
People Name General Mech
People Name in Country Mech
ROP3 Code 112946
Joshua Project People ID 17526
Indigenous Yes
Population in Nepal 7,160
Least-Reached Yes
Alternate Names for People Group Kachari Mech, Meche,
Submit an update
Bodo 6,783 Nepali 781 Rajbanshi 129 Newar 10
Bhojpuri 1 Rawat 1
Submit an update
Affinity Bloc Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
People Cluster Garo-Tripuri
People Name General Mech
Ethnic Code MSY50r
Submit an update
Largest Religion Hinduism
1.4%    ( Evangelical  0.00% )
Ethnic Religions
Other / Small
Christian Segments
Other Christian
Roman Catholic
Map Source: Omid / Joshua Project / Global Mapping Intl
Profile Source:
Data Sources: Data is compiled from various sources. Read more
Get Involved
Register ministry activity for this group
