Thandan Palakkad in India

The Thandan Palakkad have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

Palakkad is a subgroup of the Thandan, an agricultural caste from southeast India. During colonial times, the Thandan were residents of coconut and palm tree plantations. The men climb the trees and harvest the coconuts. They obtain palm sap, which is made into sugar and palm wine. The Thandan women take the palm leaves and make them into ropes and mats. Today, the Thandan still practice these professionals. They, for the most part, do not own the land that they work on.

The Thandan are classified as a Scheduled Caste meaning they are given public jobs and special university admissions. Their primary language is Malayalam. Many Christian resources are available in Malayalam.


Where Are they Located?

The Palakkad Thandan people live in Kerala, a state in southeastern India where there are many believers and many missionaries.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As landless agricultural workers, the Thandan live impoverished lives. If a crop fails, they can face starvation. A large portion of the Thandan is unable to read or write. This lack of education limits their upward mobility in Indian society. Their children often quit school after a few years to help their family make a living in the fields.

The Thandan marry within their group. Families arrange marriages. Sons inherit the property of their father. The Thandan live in multi-caste villages near the farms where they work. Rice, lentils, vegetables, and fruit are their main foods. As Hindus, they will not eat beef.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Palakkad Thandan people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve selected gods of the Hindu pantheon. They pay special reverence to Ayyappa, the son of Shiva and the god of growth. They offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits.

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


What Are Their Needs?

The Thandan need to learn new job skills. They need schools for their children. Many lack access to modern medicine. Most of all, they need to hear and respond to the message about Jesus Christ. He alone can forgive their sins and bring them hope of eternal life.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Palakkad Thandan culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Palakkad Thandan family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Palakkad Thandan people.
Pray that soon the Palakkad Thandan people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Thandan Palakkad in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thandan
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19870915-thandans-in-north-kerala-seek-scheduled-caste-status-799276-1987-09-15
https://www.ezhavamatrimony.com/palakkad-thandan-brides
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thandan


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Thandan Palakkad
People Name in Country Thandan Palakkad
Alternate Names Palakkad Thandan; ठंदन पलक्कड़
Population this Country 7,300
Population all Countries 7,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18239
ROP3 Code 113769
ROP25 Code 308112
ROP25 Name Thandan Palakkad
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
  Kerala 7,300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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 (7,300 speakers)
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malayalam (7,300 speakers)
Language Code mal   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 Malayalam 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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
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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