Introduction / History

The Adi Karnataka are living in India in the state of Mysore. They are a Scheduled Caste and also go by the name of Balagai and originated from Karnataka. They speak the Kannada language. They are not vegetarians and eat chicken, beef and pork. They like to eat rice as a cereal. They have sub groups and are endogamous, which means they do not marry outside their group. Women do the housework and do some paid work to help to bring the money in.

The Adi Karnataka work in agriculture. There are also carpenters among them while others work for the Government. Along with other communities they share the same burial grounds. They are being educated but the literacy level is not high, so the gospel message may need to be given in oral form too.

The Adi Karnataka in Tamil Nadu are a Scheduled Caste. They are mostly in the Nilgiri region. They speak in Kannada and in Tamil. Many of them are laborers and some are landowners working in agriculture. Some are in other kinds of work. They are Hindus but there are some Christians among them also.

The Adi Karnataka in Kerala are a Scheduled Caste.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are Hindus by religion and worship several gods. Some are Christians.

Prayer Points

* Pray that the Adi Karnataka Christians will lead the others among them to Jesus Christ.
* Pray that God gives them dreams and visions leading to their Salvation.

References

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999