The Arunthathiyar live in south India. The main languages of the Arunthathiyar are Tamil and Telugu. Their traditional occupation is making leather goods. This profession means they have low status in a Hindu culture where cattle have sacred status.
Indian villagers pay them for their leather products by giving them a fixed quantity of grain. They also raise pigs, goats and sheep, or working in industries, construction and other kinds of manual work. They are known to adorn their bodies with tattoo designs. Other Indian people treat the Arunthathiyar as outcastes. They have a low literacy rate.
The Arunthathiyar people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all term for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
The Arunthathiyar people face significant economic challenges that affect nearly every aspect of daily life. Many families are concentrated in the lowest-paying and least secure forms of labor, often working as daily wage laborers, sanitation workers, or in other forms of manual labor that offer little stability or long-term security. Employment is frequently irregular, meaning that income can vary greatly from day to day, making it difficult for families to plan for the future or build financial resilience.
Because much of their work is tied to low-status occupations, opportunities for advancement are limited. Access to steady employment, fair wages, and safe working conditions remains a pressing need. In many cases, workers may lack legal protections or representation, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation or unsafe environments.
Education also plays a key role in their economic situation. Limited access to quality schooling or early dropout rates can prevent younger generations from gaining the skills needed for better employment. Without improved access to education and vocational training, many remain trapped in cycles of poverty that pass from one generation to the next.
In addition, some Arunthathiyar communities may struggle with inadequate housing, lack of clean water, and limited access to healthcare services. These challenges can further strain already limited financial resources, as families must deal with preventable illnesses or poor living conditions.
Pray that educational and developmental programs from NGOs would help the Arunthathiyar.
Ask God to send workers to help these needy people hear the gospel and improve their lives both physically and spiritually.
Pray the Lord will start a movement of Arunthathiyar families experiencing God's blessings.
Pray that the tiny number of Arunthathiyar believers would be trained and sent out to share the gospel with others in their community.
References
Scripture Prayers for the Arunthathiyar in India.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
