Malasar in India

Introduction / History

Quite a number of tribal communities thrive in the State of Kerala; the Malasar tribe is one of the important ones among them.

Operation World states, "India's ancient, complex, and often difficult to understand past, its racial, ethnic, religious and linguistic diversity, and the caste system, all make detailed population analysis very difficult."

Where Are they Located?

They are located in the southwestern tip of India. The Malasar live in hamlets called Pathis and prefer to live in the plains.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They speak to one another in a mixture of the Malayam and Tamil languages. They eat wild yams and rice as staple foods. They cultivate many kinds of millet.

A village leader called Vendari does the administrative work, helped by a Panchayat council.

Malasar appear strong, unlike others in the region. They work as laborers in the field and collect forest produce.

Marriage is regarded highly among Malasar people. Child marriage is not allowed, but adult marriage is common. Their culture has many rituals and rites, including a girl's entrance into puberty. They are known to bury the dead with their belongings.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They worship gods called Kali, Mallung and Mariamman. They sacrifice goats and other animals as they believe this is needed to please these gods. They sacrifice in April, once each year.

What Are Their Needs?

Although there are many scriptural resources available to Malasar people in Tamil language, they do not yet know about them. Someone must tell them.

Prayer Points

Pray that disciples will go to the Malasar people, and show them the saving grace of Lord Jesus.
Pray that they will discover the many resources available in their language.
Pray that they will see their need of the only sin-bearer, and receive their gift of everlasting life.

Text Source:   Karent Hightower