Devadiga (Hindu traditions) 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 Devadiga are a Hindu people who live in southwest India. Their names come from words that mean, "servant of a god." Like their name suggests, the traditional occupation of the Devadiga was assisting Brahmins in temples as helpers and musicians. The Devadiga clean and maintain the temples. The Devadiga are also known for a special type of folk dance they perform.

Today most Devadiga are involved in agriculture. They grow rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables, sugarcane and coconuts on their own and sometimes others' land.

The primary languages of the Devadiga are Tulu, Goan Konkani and Kannada. The Devadiga have demanded for many years that Tulu be given a national language status and for the state of Tulu Nadu be formed.


Where Are they Located?

The large majority of the Devadiga live in the south Indian state of Karnataka. A smaller group lives in Maharashtra.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Devadiga follow a matrilineal system of inheritance where inheritance is from uncle to nephew through their mothers according to Wikipedia. The males are the custodians are the property but the women own the land.

The Devadiga marry within their caste but not with their own clan or gotra. Families arrange marriages. Brahmins officiate at their important life ceremonies such as births, weddings and funerals.

The Devadiga are not vegetarians but as Hindus they do not eat beef. Their main foods are rice, wheat, dairy products and vegetables.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Devadiga practice Hinduism influenced by folk religion. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Their five main deities are Shiva, the destroyer, Vishnu, the preserver, Surya, the sun god, Durga, the mother goddess, and Ganesh, the god of good fortune and wisdom. The Devadiga believe that spirits inhabit everyday objects and these spirits must be appeased.

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 Devadiga visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods.

The main yearly holidays of the Devadiga people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights and Navratri, the celebration of autumn.


What Are Their Needs?

The Devadiga need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They must see that their gods and rituals will not forgive their sins. The Devadiga would benefit by seeing Christians living out their faith before them.


Prayer Points

Pray for a movement to Jesus would multiply among Devadiga families and communities.
Pray that God sends Christian workers to befriend and serve Devadiga families.
Ask the Lord to raise up and send out a new generation of fruitful, multiplying witnesses from among the Devadiga people.


Scripture Prayers for the Devadiga (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Devadiga
tulu-research.blogspot.com/2018/01/399-devadigas-and-sapaligas.html


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Devadiga (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Devadiga (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Ambalavasi; Devadasi; Devadigar; Devali; Devdig; Devidig; Ganikula; Kavalnath; Konkan Valegar; Moili; Sani; Sappaliga; Serigaru; Servagara; Servegar; Sheregar; Sherigar; Sherigaru; Sherugar; Supliga; Suppalig; देवडिगा
Population this Country 172,000
Population all Countries 172,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 16693
ROP3 Code 111921
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 8
Largest States
Karnataka
157,000
Maharashtra
7,600
Goa
5,900
Tamil Nadu
500
Telangana
400
Andhra Pradesh
300
Kerala
200
Delhi
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 8
  Karnataka 157,000
  Maharashtra 7,600
  Goa 5,900
  Tamil Nadu 500
  Telangana 400
  Andhra Pradesh 300
  Kerala 200
  Delhi 70
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
2.31 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
97.69 %
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 Tulu (64,000 speakers)
Language Code tcy   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
Kannada
37,000
Konkani, Goan
34,000
Konkani
15,000
Marathi
1,700
Tamil
50
Primary Language Tulu (64,000 speakers)
Language Code tcy   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 6
Secondary Languages
  Kannada 37,000
  Konkani, Goan 34,000
  Konkani 15,000
  Marathi 1,700
  Tamil 50
People Groups Speaking Tulu
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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