Thigala Vanniyan 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 Vanniyans or Vanniyars are a Hindu people group who live in south India and Sri Lanka. Vanniyans claim to be descendants the medieval Pallava kings who ruled Andhra Pradesh and north Tamil Nadu.

The Vanniyan have traditionally been agricultural workers and servants. Through their political lobbying, they have been able to raise their status from Sudra, workers, to Kshatriya, ruling caste. At the same time they have been named a Scheduled Backward caste in order to gain more government benefits. Today the Vanniyans are among the most politically mobilized and well-informed caste in the Tamil Nadu.

There were several waves of Tamil dispersals from India and Sri Lanka creating what is known as Tamil diaspora. Many Vanniyans migrated to South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Seychelles, Mauritius and Fiji.

The primary language of the Vanniyan is Tamil. Some also speak Telegu, Kannada and Malayalam.


Where Are they Located?

Thigala Vanniyans live in Karnataka, a state in southern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Thigala Vanniyan work in agriculture. Some own the land they till. Others work land for others. Educated Vanniyans have employment in administration, business, schools, government and politics.

Thigala Vanniyans marry within their group. Marriage to one spouse in the norm. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit their father's property with the eldest son becoming head of the family. Newly wed couples typically live with or near the groom's parents.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The overwhelming majority of Thigala Vanniyars practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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. Thigala Vanniyan visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Vanniyan people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

Thigala Vanniyan need help in educating their children. Rural Thigala Vanniyan need help in gaining access to modern medicine, electricity and indoor plumbing. Most of all, the Thigala Vanniyan need to hear and understand the message of Jesus Christ who alone can forgive their sins and give them lasting peace of mind.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through those believers ministering to the Vanniyan peoples.
Pray for Thigala Vanniyan families and communities to discover and embrace the free gift of life found by trusting Christ and His finished work.
Pray that growing, Bible-believing fellowships would be planted among the Thigala Vanniyan.


Scripture Prayers for the Vanniyan Thigala in India.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18323/IN
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanniyar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thigala


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Vanniyan Thigala
People Name in Country Vanniyan Thigala
Natural Name Thigala Vanniyan
Alternate Names Agnikula Kshatriya; Tigala; Vannikula Kshatriya; वन्नीयाँ ठीगला
Population this Country 52,000
Population all Countries 52,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 21272
ROP3 Code 115672
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)
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 1
  Karnataka 52,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.98 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.02 %
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 Tamil (52,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (52,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
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
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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