Samanthan in India

The Samanthan have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Most Samantan live in Kerala and speak, read and write in Malayalam. A smaller number live in West Bengal and Odisha. They were traditionally part of the ruling elite and large landowners; one of the high status Kshatriya caste. Among them there are both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Samantan work in cultivation, business and some work for the government. They have a council to look after their needs. They are usually college educated. The Samantan family leaders arrange marriages between cousins. There are birth and marriage rituals. The divorced can marry again with approval. The bereaved can marry again. The dead are usually cremated except for very young children who are buried.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Samantan 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.


What Are Their Needs?

They need the abundant life that only Jesus Christ can offer.


Prayer Points

Pray that the leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead others a disciple making movement. Pray that gospel materials to become easily available for Discovery Bible Studies. Pray for intercessors and workers.


Scripture Prayers for the Samanthan in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-09-29
People Name General Samanthan
People Name in Country Samanthan
Population this Country 57,000
Population all Countries 57,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
Alternate Names Jatapu; Khondh; Kond; Kuvinga; Kuwi; Samantan; Samantiyai; समांथन
People ID 18010
ROP3 Code 113504
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 7
Largest States
Odisha
28,000
West Bengal
25,000
Kerala
2,800
Tamil Nadu
300
Jharkhand
300
Andaman and Nicobar
90
Karnataka
60
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 7
  Odisha 28,000
  West Bengal 25,000
  Kerala 2,800
  Tamil Nadu 300
  Jharkhand 300
  Andaman and Nicobar 90
  Karnataka 60
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 Odia (23,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Bengali
21,000
Malayalam
2,600
Hindi
1,000
Telugu
600
Kui
200
Kurux
70
Tamil
70
Primary Language Odia (23,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Bengali 21,000
  Malayalam 2,600
  Hindi 1,000
  Telugu 600
  Kui 200
  Kurux 70
  Tamil 70
People Groups Speaking Odia
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2023  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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. Read more