Vaddar (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The Vaddar, Hindu or Bhovi people trace their origin to Odra Desa or Odisha, from where they are believed to have migrated to various southern states. The word 'Bhovi' is a corrupt form of 'Bhavi' which means 'well' in Kannada, it also means 'earth-digger'. They have been involved in the digging of wells. They have various other names too such as Bhovi, Wadda, Tudugvaddar, Voddar, Vaddar, Girinivaddar, Od and Odde.
in the Vaddar, namely Kallu Bhovi who are stone cutters, Mannu Vaddar who are earth-workers and Uppar Vaddar who work as menial laborers in the municipality. They are endogamous in nature and have several clans such as Battala, Bandi, Pitala, Yanumala, Uppala, and Mallela. They speak Telugu and Kannada.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Vaddar women have a role in the economic, social and religious spheres of their community and contribute to the family income. While earth digging, stone cutting and daily wage labors are their traditional and primary occupations, agriculture is the secondary occupation for those settled in villages.
The Vaddar have decreased in population. They are immigrants from southern India mainly from Andhra Pradesh and are earth-workers and are constantly moving about in search of work.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Their patron deity is Muneshwar and many of them are devotees of Anjaneya. They also worship other goddesses.

What Are Their Needs?

Hindus generally treat them as having low status. They need to get their sense of worth from the God of the Bible who cherishes them.

Prayer Points

Pray for Vadder people to find the Lord and disciple others in his ways.
Pray the government and NGOs to set up education and developmental programs for the poor.
Pray for churches to be involved in holistic work among the Vaddar people.
Pray for the Vaddar people to have such a hunger for spiritual truth that they will embrace Jesus no matter what the cost.

Text Source:   Joshua Project