Introduction / History

The Nadar in India are found in a few places in India. They have birth and marriage observances and they bury and cremate their dead.

The Nadar in Tamil Nadu like cross-cousin marriages. Divorce and widows marrying again is forbidden. On the death of the father, property is shared among the sons and the oldest son becomes in charge of the house. Women work to help the family. The Nadar of Tamil Nadu work in agriculture. Some do office work. They have caste councils to judge in local matters. Hinduism is their main religion but some are Christians. They are well educated.

In Kerala, the Nadar marry within their own group with cross cousin marriages being favored. Marriages are among adults. Divorcees and the bereaved can marry again. Men and women claim inheritance with the oldest son becoming in charge of the home. The Nadar in Kerala are mostly laborers. They are Hindus. Boys and girls are educated. They use traditional and modern medicines.

The Nadar in Pondicherry speak, read and write in Tamil and work as toddy tappers, meaning they collect sap from certain palm trees for use in an alcoholic beverage. There are businessmen among them. They eat pork and as a cereal they eat rice. Divorce and marrying again are permitted. There is male inheritance and the oldest son becomes in charge of the home. The women work in agriculture as well as doing the housework.

The Nadar in Mumbai speak Tamil, Hindi and Marathi. They marry within their own group and have arranged adult marriages. There are some Christians among them. The elders judge in disagreements. Some work in business and others as laborers or in office work. Boys and girls are educated and they do modern family planning.

Prayer Points

* Pray that God gives the Nadar dreams and visions leading them to Jesus Christ.
* Pray that Gospel materials will lead them to Salvation too.

References

Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999