Subgroups: 6
Subgroup Name | Population ▼ | |
---|---|---|
Maruttuvan | 1,500 | |
Pandya | 400 | |
Attungal Vazhi | 300 | |
Chala Vazhi | 300 | |
Peruntanni Vzhi | 300 | |
Pondi Vazhi | 300 |
Their name is derived from two ancient Sanscrit words for "to stand," and "near." Thus, their name means, "one who stands close by." Their traditional work involved being nearby; being physicians or barbers. According to legends they are the offspring of a Brahmin father and a Vaishya (business caste) mother. The Maruthuvar or Ambattan live in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry in southern India. In Tamil Nadu the Maruthuvar speak, read and write in Tamil.
They work as barbers, day laborers or own their own businesses. In Pondicherry the Maruthuvar are musicians. Some of them are farmers. Family leaders arrange marriages. In Kerala widowers can marry again. They prefer monogamous marriages, that is, between one man and one woman. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son becoming the head of the household. A caste council looks after their interests.
Hinduism is their religion. Unlike most Hindus they either cremate or bury their dead. Spiritual beliefs of Hindus are very diverse from those who worship only one god to those who worship hundreds of them to those who are philosophical and do not worship any.
The Maruthuvar people need to hear and respond to the invitation from the only savior to enjoy life to the full.
* Scripture Prayers for the Ambattan in India.
* Pray that the Maruthuvar caste council leaders come to Jesus Christ and open the door for a disciple making movement. * Pray for spiritual openness and discernment. * Pray for workers to go to them.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Ambattan |
People Name in Country | Ambattan |
Population this Country | 178,000 |
Population all Countries | 178,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 4 |
Alternate Names | Ezhavathi; Izhavathi; Kshaurakan; Kshaurakaran; Kudimaghan; Maruttuvan; Nasivan; Nasuvan; Navidan; Panditan; Pannikkar; Pariyari; Pranopakari; Vathi (OMID Illavathi); Vilakkuttalayan; अंबट्टन |
People ID | 16208 |
ROP3 Code | 111317 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Ambattan |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Ambattan |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 6 |
Maruttuvan 1,500 | |
Pandya 400 | |
Attungal Vazhi 300 | |
Chala Vazhi 300 | |
Peruntanni Vzhi 300 | |
Pondi Vazhi 300 |
Country | India | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 8 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 8 |
Tamil Nadu 168,000 | |
Kerala 5,500 | |
Maharashtra 1,900 | |
Puducherry 1,400 | |
Karnataka 700 | |
Andhra Pradesh 600 | |
Delhi 200 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 70 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Tamil (173,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil (173,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Malayalam 5,300 | |
Tulu 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Tamil |
Primary Language: Tamil
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1714-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1715-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1727-2016) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Father's Love Letter |
Audio Recordings | General Ministry Resources |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | Finding Peace |
Film / Video | Following Jesus (India, JF Project) |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Tamil |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Prophets' Story |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources |
General | God's Simple Plan |
General | Gospel website in this language |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.08 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.92 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |