Maravan in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 13 (10 largest shown)  Show all

Subgroup Name Population
Appanad Kondayam Kottai 81,000
Rajavasal 78,000
Sembinattu 45,000
Puluku 39,000
Ambaneri 35,000
Karana 27,000
Vanniyar 27,000
Anjukottu 21,000
Kondaiyam Kottai 9,300
Anil Kottai 8,000

Introduction / History

The Maravans of south India claim to be descendants of ancient Tamil kings. Their name means "warrior" in the Tamil language. Traditionally the Maravans were the army of the Tamil dynasties. The Maravans also owned land and worked as farmers. Most lived in the rural areas, not in cities.

The Indian government has classified the Maravan as an Other Backward Class because of their widespread poverty and lower educational level. As an OBC, the Maravans are guaranteed positions in government and education. Many Maravan young people are taking advantage of their educational opportunities and obtaining careers as military officers and as leaders in business and government.

The large majority of the Maravans speak Tamil as their first language. Many also speak other south Indian languages.


Where Are they Located?

The vast majority of the Maravans live in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Others also live in nearby Kerala and Karnataka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The main occupations of the Maravans are still farming and the military. Both men and woman work in the fields. Some of the younger educated Maravans are branching into different careers and moving to the large cities of south India.

The Maravan eat meat except for beef and pork. Rice is the main staple along with vegetables, fruits and dairy products.
The Maravans marry within their group, sometimes first and second cousins. The sons inherit the family lands and wealth. Divorce and remarriage is allowed.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The huge majority of Maravans are Hindus. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon and celebrate the major Hindu holidays.

The mother-warrior goddess Durga is given special place among the Maravans. She is pictured as having eight arms with weapons in each of her hands and seated upon a tiger or lion. The festival of Navratri celebrates nine nights dedicated to the nine divine forms of goddess Durga. She is believes to possess divine feminine energy or shakti capable of defeating the power of demons.

A small group of Maravan is Christians.


What Are Their Needs?

The Maravan need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in their Tamil language. They need to see Christ's love lived out before them. Christian schools and Christian teachers would be particularly helpful in meeting the educational needs of the Maravans.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord sends Christian teachers and evangelists to the Maravans.
Pray the Maravans see their need for the Prince of Peace and the forgiveness that he offers.
Pray that the Christian Maravans receive training and become leaders in a growing Maravan church.


Scripture Prayers for the Maravan in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mukkulathor
http://maravar05.blogspot.com/2010/07/maravar.html
http://mudiraja.weebly.com/w2maravars.html


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Maravan
People Name in Country Maravan
Alternate Names Ajupani; Chitikan; Kalla; Kalla Kammar; Manavan; Marayan; Mukkalathoor; Mukkulathan; Thevar; मरवान
Population this Country 3,808,000
Population all Countries 3,911,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 76
People ID 17459
ROP3 Code 112867
ROP25 Code 305201
ROP25 Name Maravar / Maravan
Affinity Bloc South Asian Peoples
People Cluster South Asia Forward Caste - other
People Group Maravan
Ethnic Code CNN25
Total Subgroups 13
  Appanad Kondayam Kot 81,000
  Rajavasal 78,000
  Sembinattu 45,000
  Puluku 39,000
  Ambaneri 35,000
  Karana 27,000
  Vanniyar 27,000
  Anjukottu 21,000
  Kondaiyam Kottai 9,300
  Anil Kottai 8,000
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 20
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Tamil Nadu
3,647,000
Kerala
97,000
Karnataka
26,000
Puducherry
17,000
Maharashtra
7,300
Andhra Pradesh
7,200
Delhi
2,000
Telangana
1,200
Andaman and Nicobar
900
Gujarat
500
Chhattisgarh
300
Madhya Pradesh
200
West Bengal
200
Jharkhand
200
Odisha
100
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 20
  Tamil Nadu 3,647,000
  Kerala 97,000
  Karnataka 26,000
  Puducherry 17,000
  Maharashtra 7,300
  Andhra Pradesh 7,200
  Delhi 2,000
  Telangana 1,200
  Andaman and Nicobar 900
  Gujarat 500
  Chhattisgarh 300
  Madhya Pradesh 200
  West Bengal 200
  Jharkhand 200
  Odisha 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
2.45 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.55 %
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 (3,149,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Malayalam
54,000
Telugu
3,200
Kannada
800
English
700
Konkani, Goan
10
Primary Language Tamil (3,149,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Malayalam 54,000
  Telugu 3,200
  Kannada 800
  English 700
  Konkani, Goan 10
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)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video 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 Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
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General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  India Missions Association  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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.



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