Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Myanmar (Burma)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The homeland of the Tamil people is southeast India. Tamil is one of the major languages of India and the 17th most spoken language in the world. Tamils are proud of their cultural and literary heritage. Many thousands of Tamils have left India and live in dozens of countries throughout the world including Myanmar. Some migrated to Myanmar as indentured servants during the era of the British Empire. The Hindu faith of the Tamils is seen as compatible with Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the Burmese. The ability of the Tamils to speak English gives them an advantage in international business. A small fraction of Tamils in Myanmar has become followers of Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tamils in Myanmar live diverse lives. The educated, English speaking Tamils live middle or upper class lifestyles. They work in universities, science, commerce, and as professionals. Recently arrived Tamils have a more difficult time working in labor jobs in construction and in factories while they and their children learn the Burmese language. For the most part, the Tamils try to fit into Burmese society and stay out of politics. Tamil parents encourage their children to pursue higher education and obtain university degrees. The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most Asian cultures. Tamils in Myanmar try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time become model Burmese citizens. In traditional Tamil culture, the parents chose the spouse of their children. This practice has changed in modern society where young children frequently choose their partner with their parents' guidance.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The large majority of Tamils in Myanmar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. The patron god of the Tamils is Murugan, the Hindu god of war. Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Tamils 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 as Christians do with their heavenly Father. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Hindu Tamil people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday. The Tamils in Myanmar also frequently celebrate Buddhist holidays. The Tamil New Year is celebrated on April 14.


What Are Their Needs?

The Tamils in Myanmar need to understand that material success will not bring them the happiness they are seeking. Jesus Christ is much more than a Hindu god or guru. Only through Christ can a Tamil receive the forgiveness of his or her sins and the gift of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord raises up a Disciple Making Movement among the Tamils in Myanmar in this decade. Pray the Lord moves believers and churches to reach out and share the good news with the Tamils. Pray that more Christian literature and videos become available in the Tamil language. Ask God to bring Tamil leaders and heads of families into His kingdom.


Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in Myanmar (Burma).


References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamils


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tamil (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Tamil (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TAH-mill
Alternate Names तमिल (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 150,000
Population all Countries 2,857,000
Total Countries 20
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 18211
ROP3 Code 113732
ROP25 Code 307913
ROP25 Name Tamil
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 17  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 17  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 3.80 %)
11.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
86.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
3.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tamil (150,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Burma Tamil
Dialect Code 17158   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (150,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Burma Tamil
Dialect Code 17158   Global Recordings 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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
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
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
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 Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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