The Kerala Muthali (Mudali) belong to various Mudaliar communities found elsewhere in South India. Due to their social, linguistic and educational backwardness Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry states have categorized them as Backward Castes. They are predominantly found in the areas of Trivandrum and Palghat Districts of Kerala and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu. They migrated to these places starting in the late 17th century for various purposes including agriculture, and coconut oil extraction. They were specialized fighters and reliable spies. Theirs is a weaver community.
Unlike the Tamil Brahmins settled in various places of Kerala, Muthalis/Mudalis can marry Nairs, Chakravar, Sakravar (Kavathi) and those who have converted to Christianity but retaining Mudaliar identity. Kerala Muthalis still keep their separate identity even though they are a micro-minority caste in Kerala.
During the British era many Muthali families came into the influence of Christianity and eventually embraced that religion. Gradually after independence and state reorganization, Kerala Muthalis have completely integrated with the Kerala culture, but still consider Lord Muruga/Subramanya as their primary god of worship while most of the Kerala Hindus are devotees of Lord Vishnu.
They are socially and educationally in a backward stage in India. The social backwardness can be addressed through education. The educational institutions in India are accessible to the elite class, hence more and more educational institutions are required for the Kerala Muthali on an urgent basis.
Pray that the Muthali people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among them to begin this decade.
Scripture Prayers for the Keralamuthali in India.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Keralamuthali |
People Name in Country | Keralamuthali |
Alternate Names | Kavuthi Chakkamvar; केरलमुतली |
Population this Country | 6,100 |
Population all Countries | 6,100 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 6 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17140 |
ROP3 Code | 112489 |
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 | 2 | |||
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 | 2 |
Kerala 3,300 | |
Tamil Nadu 2,700 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.33 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.67 %
|
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 | Malayalam (3,500 speakers) | |||
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Malayalam (3,500 speakers) |
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Tamil 2,500 | |
People Groups | Speaking Malayalam |
Primary Language: Malayalam
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1811-1968) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1829-1995) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1841-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |