Chetti is a generic South Indian term for merchants and traders. There are Chetti communities in South India, but a different one in nearby Sri Lanka.
Between the 16th and mid 17th century, Chettis settled in the ports of Jaffna, Colombo and Galle in western Sri Lanka. They were mainly from Tamil Nadu, thus their use of the Tamil language today. This was a time when Portuguese and Dutch colonialists were making inroads into Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Chetti have a subgroup in the northern part of their island nation. That is the Chetty Vellalar, and they are being merged with other Sri Lankan ethnic communities.
It's common for the Sri Lanka Chetti to intermarry with the dominant peoples of Sri Lanka. Between this and their small number, one wonders if they will exist as a separate community in 100 years.
The Sri Lanka Chetti are usually part of the business community. Their children usually get a good education so they can continue their comfortable lifestyle.
Though they are devout Hindus, their form of Hinduism has certain elements of Islam and Taoism.
Sri Lankan Chettis are Hindus who are often devoted to either Shiva or Ganesh. Ganesh is a favorite among business communities since Hindus believe he help them overcome obstacles. Those who worship Shiva are joined by many others in this Hindu tradition.
The Chetti people need to be given the chance to hear the life-changing gospel so they can enjoy life to the full. There are many Christ followers in Sri Lanka and southern India who can introduce them to the only savior.
Pray for loving gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Chetti people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing the hearts of these people would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Chetti families so the gospel will spread rapidly.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Chetti people to become fruitful so others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Sri Lanka Chetti in Sri Lanka.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Chetties
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chitty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chettiar
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Sri Lanka Chetti |
People Name in Country | Sri Lanka Chetti |
Alternate Names | श्री लंका चेट्टी |
Population this Country | 6,500 |
Population all Countries | 6,500 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 20802 |
ROP3 Code | 117309 |
Country | Sri Lanka | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||
Total States on file | 9 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Sri Lanka |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 9 |
Western 5,100 | |
North Western 500 | |
Central 200 | |
Eastern 200 | |
Northern 100 | |
Sabaragamuwa 100 | |
Uva 70 | |
Southern 70 | |
North Central 40 | |
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 Sri Lanka census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Tamil (6,500 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tamil (6,500 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) |
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 | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |