Vadugan in India

The Vadugan have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Kapu Vadugan or Kammas are a Telugu speaking agricultural caste of south India. In the Middle Ages they served as governors and military officers for the Hindu dynasties of south India. In modern times they are a landowner peasant group of the fourth worker caste of Hinduism. Most Vadugan migrated south from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu. Their primary occupations are landowning and farming. The Vadugan kept their language of Telugu in regions where most people speak Tamil. Parents see education as a priority and many Vadugan have graduated from universities and have professional careers. Many Kapu have entered politics and government service where they serve as administrators and public servants.
Many Christian resources are available in Telugu including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film.


Where Are they Located?

The Kapu Vadugan people live in the southern tip of India in Tamil Nadu and Kerala states.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The lifestyle of a Vadugan depends upon his or her level of education and place of residence. Urban Vadugan hold high positions in government, universities, the military and businesses. The Vadugan are some of the most politically active castes in south India. Less educated, rural Vadugan own farmland that is often worked by others.

Vadugan marry within their group but not within their particular clan. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Sons inherit property from their parents. Newly married couples used to live with or near the grooms' parents. But now urban Vadugan live where they can find employment.

The Kapu are not vegetarians but as Hindus will not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Vadugan practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They pay special devotion to Shiva, the destroyer god. 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 Vadugan 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Kapu 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.


What Are Their Needs?

The Vadugan need to realize that power and wealth will not bring them the joy and peace they seek. Jesus Christ alone can forgive their sins and get them right with the one, true God.


Prayer Points

Pray that persons and households of peace will be found among the Vadugan people who will catalyze movements to Jesus among their own people.
Pray the Lord will start a movement of Vadugan families experiencing God's blessings.
Pray for workers needed to sow God's Word into Vadugan families, healing and strengthening their households with God's blessings.


Scripture Prayers for the Vadugan in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapu_(caste)


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Vadugan
People Name in Country Vadugan
Alternate Names Vadugan; Vadukan; कापु वदूगन
Population this Country 25,000
Population all Countries 25,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 21154
ROP3 Code 117846
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 2
Largest States
Tamil Nadu
25,000
Kerala
70
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 2
  Tamil Nadu 25,000
  Kerala 70
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 Telugu (22,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Konkani
20
Primary Language Telugu (22,000 speakers)
Language Code tel   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Konkani 20
People Groups Speaking Telugu

Primary Language:  Telugu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1812-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1818-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1854-2022)
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Jesus Film: view in Telugu 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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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
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. Learn more.


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