The Devadiga are a Hindu people who live in southwest India. Their names come from words that mean, "servant of a god." Like their name suggests, the traditional occupation of the Devadiga was assisting Brahmins in temples as helpers and musicians. The Devadiga clean and maintain the temples. The Devadiga are also known for a special type of folk dance they perform.
Today most Devadiga are involved in agriculture. They grow rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables, sugarcane and coconuts on their own and sometimes others' land.
The primary languages of the Devadiga are Tulu, Goan Konkani and Kannada. The Devadiga have demanded for many years that Tulu be given a national language status and for the state of Tulu Nadu be formed.
The large majority of the Devadiga live in the south Indian state of Karnataka. A smaller group lives in Maharashtra.
The Devadiga follow a matrilineal system of inheritance where inheritance is from uncle to nephew through their mothers according to Wikipedia. The males are the custodians are the property but the women own the land.
The Devadiga marry within their caste but not with their own clan or gotra. Families arrange marriages. Brahmins officiate at their important life ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals.
The Devadiga are not vegetarians but as Hindus they do not eat beef. Their main foods are rice, wheat, dairy products and vegetables.
The Devadiga practice Hinduism influenced by folk religion. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their five main deities are Shiva, the destroyer, Vishnu, the preserver, Surya, the sun god, Durga, the mother goddess, and Ganesh, the god of good fortune and wisdom. The Devadiga believe that spirits inhabit everyday objects and these spirits must be appeased.
Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Devadiga visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods.
The main yearly holidays of the Devadiga people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.
The Devadiga need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They must see that their gods and rituals will not forgive their sins. The Devadiga would benefit by seeing Christians living out their faith before them.
Pray for a movement to Jesus would multiply among Devadiga families and communities.
Pray that God sends Christian workers to befriend and serve Devadiga families.
Ask the Lord to raise up and send out a new generation of fruitful, multiplying witnesses from among the Devadiga people.
Scripture Prayers for the Devadiga (Hindu traditions) in India.
indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Devadiga
tulu-research.blogspot.com/2018/01/399-devadigas-and-sapaligas.html
Profile Source: David Kugel |
People Name General | Devadiga (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Devadiga (Hindu traditions) |
Alternate Names | Ambalavasi; Devadasi; Devadigar; Devali; Devdig; Devidig; Ganikula; Kavalnath; Konkan Valegar; Moili; Sani; Sappaliga; Serigaru; Servagara; Servegar; Sheregar; Sherigar; Sherigaru; Sherugar; Supliga; Suppalig; देवडिगा |
Population this Country | 182,000 |
Population all Countries | 182,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 4 |
People ID | 16693 |
ROP3 Code | 111921 |
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 |
Karnataka 164,000 | |
Maharashtra 7,900 | |
Goa 6,100 | |
Tamil Nadu 400 | |
Telangana 400 | |
Kerala 200 | |
Delhi 70 | |
Andhra Pradesh 20 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
2.31 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
97.69 %
|
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 | Tulu (64,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | tcy Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 6 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tulu (64,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tcy Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 6 |
Secondary Languages | |
Kannada 37,000 | |
Konkani, Goan 34,000 | |
Konkani 15,000 | |
Marathi 1,700 | |
Tamil 50 | |
People Groups | Speaking Tulu |
Primary Language: Tulu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1842-1912) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1847-2010) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Tulu | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Biblical answers to your questions | Got Questions Ministry |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Tulu | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Tulu | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | David Kugel |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |