They lived and worked near Hindu temples, so they are now called, Ambal meaning temple and vasi meaning inmate. Most consider them Brahmins though their roles are even more complex than the Brahmins. They have two groups, one who wears the sacred (Brahmin) thread and one that does not. Some Ambalavasi subgroups include the Chakyar, Pushpakas, Muthatu, Pisharody and the Varyar. In India the Ambalavasi live in Kerala. They speak Malayalam, Kerala's language.
They work in Hindu temples where they often serve as artists. Some are musicians or perform dramas. Others are storekeepers or provide flowers for the Hindu temples.
Hinduism is their religion. Spiritual beliefs of Hindus are very diverse from those who worship only one god to those who worship hundreds of them to those who are philosophical and do not worship any. Brahmins are often in the latter category.
The Ambalavasi Brahmins need to find their way to the lord of Lords who alone can offer them life to the full.
Pray against pride getting in the way of the Ambalavasi Brahmins receiving Jesus Christ. Pray that God will give them dreams and visions leading them to begin a Christ-ward movement. Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead them to the Resurrected Savior. Pray for intercessors and workers.
Scripture Prayers for the Ambalavasi in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Ambalavasi |
People Name in Country | Ambalavasi |
Pronunciation |
ahm-bah-lah-WAH-see
|
Alternate Names | Adikal; Ahambadian; Ambalagar; Ambalakar; Ambalakaram; Ambalakarar; Ambalakarma; Cholanaickan; Kambalattan; Madi; Maravan; Muthurasa; Naidu; Naiker; Poduval; Sembanattu; Serviar; Terkittiyar; Thottia Naicks; Thottia Nayak; Thottiyan; Valayargal; Vallambar; अंबालवासी |
Population this Country | 188,000 |
Population all Countries | 204,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 4 |
People ID | 16207 |
ROP3 Code | 111316 |
ROP25 Code | 300252 |
ROP25 Name | Ambalavasi |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Hindu - other |
People Group | Ambalavasi |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 42 (only 15 largest shown) |
Vallambar 6,800 | |
Pisharodi 5,700 | |
Poduval 5,000 | |
Nambiyassan 4,500 | |
Variyan 4,200 | |
Maravan 3,300 | |
Pushpakan 3,200 | |
Adikal 2,300 | |
Daivampali 2,300 | |
Nambidi 2,000 |
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) | ||||||
Location in Country | Tamil Nadu Source: Joshua Project | ||||||
Total States on file | 6 | ||||||
Largest States |
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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) |
Location in Country | Tamil Nadu. Source: Joshua Project |
Total States | 6 |
Kerala 101,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 76,000 | |
Karnataka 10,000 | |
Andhra Pradesh 600 | |
Delhi 300 | |
Maharashtra 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.30 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.70 %
|
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 | Malayalam (84,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Malayalam (84,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Tamil 72,000 | |
Telugu 1,900 | |
Tulu 1,000 | |
People Groups | Speaking Malayalam |
Primary Language: Malayalam
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1811-1968) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1829-1995) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1841-2022) |
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 |
Photo Source | Thekkemadomveekay - 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. |