Henawalayo in Sri Lanka

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

Introduction / History

The small Henawalayo or Henavala people also go by the name of "Mukkara Hennaya" or "Udarata Hennaya". They live mainly in Henavala village in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Henawalayo culture originated from a blending of indigenous Vedda and immigrant Indian Tamil cultures. They are noted for their skilled crafts such as basket weaving, pottery and mat making. With modernization it is becoming difficult for them to maintain their unique culture. They sometimes face discrimination.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Though they are officially Buddhist, the Henawalayo people have their own traditional religious practices. Their practices include a variety of gods and goddesses, some of which are Buddhist and others are not. They have their own rituals and customs related to birth, marriage and death.


What Are Their Needs?

They need the Holy Spirit to open their eyes so they can see Jesus as he is.


Prayer Points

Pray for many from this unreached people group to understand both God’s judgment and his majestic glory.

Pray for loving workers to go to the Henawalayo people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.

Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that result in thousands of new disciples who share their faith with others.

Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.


Scripture Prayers for the Henawalayo in Sri Lanka.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Henawalayo
People Name in Country Henawalayo
Alternate Names हेनवालायो
Population this Country 20,000
Population all Countries 20,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 21406
ROP3 Code 118213
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
Southern
3,400
North Western
3,200
Western
3,000
Central
3,000
Sabaragamuwa
2,700
North Central
1,900
Uva
1,600
Eastern
600
Northern
30
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Southern 3,400
  North Western 3,200
  Western 3,000
  Central 3,000
  Sabaragamuwa 2,700
  North Central 1,900
  Uva 1,600
  Eastern 600
  Northern 30
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
96.29 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
3.71 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
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 Sinhala (20,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sinhala (20,000 speakers)
Language Code sin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sinhala
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.