The Malai Pandaram in Kerala are a scheduled tribe which means they have low status in Hindu society. They live in the hill regions of Kollam and Pathanathitta districts of Kerala. Others live further east in Tamil Nadu. They speak Malayalam, the language of Kerala.
Hunting and gathering is their work. Their customs are different than nearby tribes. They know how to use herbs as medicines. Unlike most Hindus, they bury the dead. After a death in the family the place where the bereaved person lived is destroyed.
The Malai Pandaram people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
The Malai Pandaram community needs the opportunity to advance socially and economically through advanced education.
Pray that God will give them dreams and visions leading them to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray that gospel materials and the internet will become available to them. Pray for spiritual hunger. Pray for workers to go to them.
Scripture Prayers for the Malai Pandaram in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Malai Pandaram |
People Name in Country | Malai Pandaram |
Natural Name | Pandaram Malai |
Alternate Names | Hill Pandaram; Mala Pandaram; Malay Pandaram; मलाई पंडरम |
Population this Country | 4,600 |
Population all Countries | 4,600 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17657 |
ROP3 Code | 113097 |
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 | 3 | |||
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 | 3 |
Kerala 2,800 | |
Tamil Nadu 1,600 | |
Puducherry 30 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.51 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
98.74 %
|
Islam |
0.56 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.05 %
|
Unknown |
0.13 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Malayalam (2,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Malayalam (2,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Tamil 1,900 | |
Telugu 60 | |
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 | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |