Telugu-speaking South Asian in Malaysia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Telugu of Malaysia have ancestral origins in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states of South India. The Telugu who migrated to Malaysia were mostly farmers from the lower caste (a pattern of social classes in Hinduism). In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Telugu willingly signed on as indentured laborers with the estate supervisors from Malaysia and left their farms in Andhra Pradesh with hopes of gaining wealth and returning to Indian one day.
Though work was hard on the rubber plantations, they found time to plant vegetables and raised animals to supplement their income. They lived simply and saved their money. As years passed many opted to stay in Malaysia and only traveled back to Andhra Pradesh to visit family members or find brides whom they brought back. They used their savings to set up small businesses that eventually brought them out of estate work. In the 1940s, many ventured back into the estates selling textiles, household items, and food from India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Telugu have now shifted from rural areas to the urban centers. Due to their emphasis on education, many Telugu have moved up the social ladder from their modest beginnings in plantation work. Today, most Telugu are literate and educated. Many Telugu are professionals and have middle level occupations in commerce, the government service, and other professions. Very few families fall below the poverty level.
A few men still wear dhotis (simple white garments wrapped between the legs loosely like a skirt); and the women sometimes wear saris (straight pieces of cloth draped around the body like a dress), especially on formal occasions. On the other hand, western clothes are the norm for most Telugu.
The caste system is dying out with each new generation of Malaysian Telugu, partly due to intermarriage with other Indian and Malaysian groups. Some of the old Telugu customs seem to have been lost with time and assimilation into Malaysian society, though they still have a distinct culture and language. Most marriages are still arranged by Telugu parents.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Telugu are mainly followers of Hinduism. For the Hindu majority, their "Hinduism" is as much a lifestyle as it is a religion. Telugu are mainly Vaishnavites (followers of the deity Vishna). Telugu participate in festivals celebrated by most Indian Hindus in Malaysia such as Thaipusam (a ritual of human endurance, self-sacrifice, and the power of mind over matter) and Deepavali (known as the Festival of Lights). There are festivals distinct to Telugu such as Ugadhi (beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar with a change in the moon's orbit) celebrated during the month of March or April with Ugadhi patchadi (special vegetarian meals) and Cherathalu (a joyful folk dance).


What Are Their Needs?

Stress has become a part of the Telugu people's lives. Although many have found economic success, these successes have brought new problems into their lives. Pray that local believers will relate and respond to these and other needs of the Telugu by building relationships and introducing them to the One of Peace.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving and committed workers to the Telegu speakers in Malaysia.
Pray for Telegu speaking disciples to make more disciples and plant churches.
Pray for spiritual hunger.


Scripture Prayers for the South Asian, Telugu-speaking in Malaysia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General South Asian, Telugu-speaking
People Name in Country South Asian, Telugu-speaking
Natural Name Telugu-speaking South Asian
Pronunciation TEL-uh-goo
Alternate Names Andhra; Telegu; Tolangan
Population this Country 126,000
Population all Countries 1,175,000
Total Countries 11
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
People ID 15324
ROP3 Code 109930
ROP25 Code 308052
ROP25 Name Telugu
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Urban centers   Source:  Joshua Project
Country Malaysia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 49  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Urban centers.   Source:  Joshua Project
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.50 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
85.00 %
Islam
3.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
8.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Telugu (126,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Telugu (126,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Telugu

Primary Language:  Telugu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2022)
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General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Southeast Asia Link - SEALINK   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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