Paraiyan (Hindu traditions) in Sri Lanka
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Paraiyan (Hindu traditions) |
| Country: | Sri Lanka |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 111,000 |
| World Population: | 2,326,000 |
| 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 Paraiyan name comes from the Tamil word for drum. The Paraiyan are known for making drums and playing them at weddings and Hindu festivals.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Most Paraiyan make their living in agriculture and animal husbandry. For the most part, they work on land owned by higher castes. To supplement their incomes, they make baskets and mats. A few Paraiyan have been able to attend universities and become physicians, politicians and administrators.
The Paraiyan marry within their people group. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young couple. Parents encourage their sons to get at least a primary education. Girls often must quit school after a few years to help their families.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Paraiyan people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all term 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?
There are spiritual impediments that keep these people from embracing the savior as many other Tamil speakers have done. There are plenty of Tamil-speaking congregations in both India and Sri Lanka that can lead the Paraiyan to the cross.
Prayer Points
Pray that God establishes Paraiyan believers in the faith and uses them to share the gospel with their families and friends.
Pray that Hindu-background believers build relationships with the Paraiyan and help meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray for a movement to Jesus to multiply among Paraiyan families and communities.
Pray that the Paraiyans will have visions and dreams of Jesus.