The Pulayan people know a lot about the word pollution. Their name is derived from pula, which means pollution. And as members of the lowest rung of Hindu society, they are often treated like trash.
They live mainly in India’s southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, but some are in nearby Sri Lanka.
Along with most other low caste communities, the Pulayans are landless. Many are engaged as agricultural laborers, serving higher caste landowners without significant pay. They are known to be talented craftsmen and basket makers. They also have a tradition of oral storytelling and folk songs. When the Pulayan are not working to please their landlords, they enjoy singing and dancing to the music of drums and stringed instruments.
Their economic status parallels their spiritual state. The Pulayans are enslaved by a host of gods, including Mankombu Bhagwati, Siva, Vishnu, and Ayyappa. Fortunately, there are some in Sri Lanka who follow the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The Pulayan people need the Holy Spirit to direct them into a loving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pray for God to change the identity of the Pulayans from “people of pollution” to “people of Light and Life.”
Ask him to set them free from the social and economic bondage of being low caste.
Pray for them to be open to the gospel, to begin seeking to please the Lord Jesus Christ, and to respond with singing and dancing for God's glory.
Pray for loving workers to go to the Pulayan people until they are discipling others.
Scripture Prayers for the Pulayan in Sri Lanka.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulayar
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Pulayan |
People Name in Country | Pulayan |
Pronunciation | POO-lah-yahn |
Alternate Names | Cheramar; Christian; Malaipulayan; पुलयन (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 4,700 |
Population all Countries | 1,106,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 2 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 17911 |
ROP3 Code | 113392 |
ROP25 Code | 306831 |
ROP25 Name | Pulayan |
Country | Sri Lanka | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||||||
Total States on file | 5 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Sri Lanka |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 5 |
Central 2,600 | |
Uva 1,200 | |
Western 500 | |
Sabaragamuwa 500 | |
Southern 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
11.79 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
88.21 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Sri Lanka census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Tamil (4,700 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tamil (4,700 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
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) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Mohonu - Wikimedia - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |