Vettakkaran in India
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Vettakkaran |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 6,000 |
| World Population: | 6,000 |
| Primary Language: | Tamil |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Dalit - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The literal meaning of Vettakkaran is "hunter" in Tamil. They were known as hunters and gathers. This bare existence living gave them low status in Hindu India.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Today many members of the Vettakkaran community are traders, farmers or laborers. There are government efforts to help them move beyond their marginal status.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Vettakkaran people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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 Vettakkaran community faces discrimination and limited educational opportunities. They often lack adequate healthcare.
Prayer Points
Pray for workers to go to the Vettakkaran people, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their savior.
Pray for families of believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into their entire society as all believers learn to love others.