Nair in Sri Lanka


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 Nairs were once a martial nobility, similar to the Samurai of Japan and figure prominently in the history of Kerala. Kalarippayattu (ancient martial art) is associated with the Nairs.

Nairs were Kshatriyas (Hinduism's second highest caste) belonging to the Serpent Dynasty (Nagavansham) who removed their sacred thread and migrated south to escape the wrath of a vengeful Parashurama, an avatar of the prominent Hindu god Vishnu. The affinity of the Nair community towards serpent worship, their martial past, and the absence of the sacred thread lends support to this theory.

Throughout the medieval period and until well into the 19th century, the Nairs had a pre-eminent role in Kerala, a state in southern India. By the middle of the 19th century, however, this dominance started waning. Institutions like the sambandham and the matrilineal joint family system which had ensured the strength of the Nair community earlier, now became productive of many evils in changing socio-political background of Kerala. The impact of the market economy, the disappearance of traditional military training, the absorption of new values through the new system of education, and their cry for equality and privileges - all these factors brought about a decline of Nair dominance.


Where Are they Located?

The Nair people are most prominent in the southern Indian state of Kerala, but a small number live in Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They have retained status as part of Hinduism's high Kshatrya caste. Today members of the Nair caste don't all follow one profession or business. They represent such diverse occupations as traders, artisans, oil-mongers, barbers, and washer men. But many still carry arms with them at all times.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally their form of Hinduism included the worship of snakes. They are all Hindus whose main object of worship is Vishnu but who also wear the mark of the god Shiva on their foreheads.


What Are Their Needs?

A hunger for high status coupled with devotion to a religious system rather than to a Savior can potentially keep these Hindus away from Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for workers to go to the Nair people in Sri Lanka, and for their hearts to be ready to receive their Savior.
Pray for networks of believing Nair families and fellowships that will throw the doors open for others to follow Jesus.
Pray for the Lord to bless the families among the Nair people with his presence and mercy.
Pray for Bible believing fellowships and churches among the Nair people.


Scripture Prayers for the Nair in Sri Lanka.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Nair
People Name in Country Nair
Alternate Names Naique; Naire; Nairi; Nayammar; Nayar; Nayarangi; Nayre; नायर
Population this Country 4,100
Population all Countries 7,593,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17747
ROP3 Code 113205
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 8
Largest States
Central
2,300
Eastern
700
Northern
400
Sabaragamuwa
300
Western
300
Uva
200
Southern
40
North Western
40
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 8
  Central 2,300
  Eastern 700
  Northern 400
  Sabaragamuwa 300
  Western 300
  Uva 200
  Southern 40
  North Western 40
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.51 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.49 %
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 Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Malayalam
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Malayalam
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Tamil Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Tamil Bible (தமிழ் பைபிள்) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Tamil Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Tamil Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Tamil Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Thachan Makan - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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