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.
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.
Scripture Prayers for the Ambattan (Hindu traditions) in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Ambattan (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Ambattan (Hindu traditions) |
Alternate Names | Ezhavathi; Izhavathi; Kshaurakan; Kshaurakaran; Kudimaghan; Maruttuvan; Nasivan; Nasuvan; Navidan; Panditan; Pannikkar; Pariyari; Pranopakari; Vathi (OMID Illavathi); Vilakkuttalayan; अंबट्टन |
Population this Country | 190,000 |
Population all Countries | 190,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 4 |
People ID | 16208 |
ROP3 Code | 111317 |
Country | India | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||
Total States on file | 8 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 8 |
Tamil Nadu 175,000 | |
Kerala 6,400 | |
Maharashtra 2,200 | |
Puducherry 1,600 | |
Karnataka 800 | |
Andhra Pradesh 600 | |
Delhi 300 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 90 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
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. |
Primary Language | Tamil (174,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil (174,000 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 (1727-2021) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |