Introduction / History

The Kaikolan are geographically bordered between the states of Tamilnadu (to the south and east) and Kerala (to the north and west). There appears to be a potential concentration of the Kaikolan near a city named Erode. Erode is famous for cotton and textile manufacturing.

There are nearly two million Kaikolan people between the two India states. They are nearly all Hindu with a very small sampling of Muslim and an even smaller number of Evangelicals located within the UPG. These small numbers of converts may actually be due to the large cities located near the UPG.

The Kaikolan speak several languages though namely Tamil. The Tamil language is similar to Arabic, Aramaic and other character (sound) based languages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kaikolan, like many other Indian castes, have a basic social unit comprised of the extended family. There will be a male head of the house hold which answers to a group of elder or senior males. This elder group in turn will make major decisions for the caste. Family to family ministry may prove beneficial.

One Kaikolan legend deals with a now deforested area in which outsiders came (hunting local game) and the locals were so outraged at the constant intrusion that one of their own (perhaps an unclean warrior) that he reportedly cut the tail form the beast causing the outsiders to leave. This type of mythology may give rise to other redemptive analogies and similar reach strategies.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kaikolan even though they are Hindu will probably have some sort of tribal awareness of spirits, magical powers, ancestry worship and perhaps even other forms of animistic worship. Shamans, healers and magicians provide locals with contact with the other side, healing of injuries and perhaps even power encounters.

The Kaikolan are considered a backwards caste, they are family oriented with perhaps a smattering of animism and family worship practices under the guise of Hinduism. They are an UPG who exist in the southern part of India which means there will be mass illiteracy, poor hygiene, little to no literacy and other unsuspecting issues.

The Kaikolan being Tamil heart speakers have several key evangelical tools available to them. These include the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, audio tapes and the Bible. Each of these tools will be paramount to effectively ministering to the UPG. There is at least one variation of Tamil in addition to theirs. These linguistic patterns will need to be identified, written down and taught.

Prayer Points

The Kaikolan are in need of much prayer.
* They need prayer for a mission team to stand up for them
* They need prayer for one godly man waiting for the Word
* They need prayer for a local opportunity to host a team
* They need prayer for evangelical tools to be made available
* They need prayer for open minds leading to open hearts
* They need prayer for God's forgiveness
* They need prayer for God's salvation