Kasar (Hindu traditions) 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 Kasar are a people who live in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The traditional occupation of the Kasar or Tambat people is the production and sale of copper and brass items. Tambat in Marathi means copper. Some Kasar claim Kshatriya level, the second highest caste in Hinduism. In other areas they are seen as merchants or common workers.

Originally, all Kasar were Hindus. Some Kasar converted to Islam during the time of the Moghal Empire. The primary language of the Kasar of Sri Lanka is Tamil.


Where Are they Located?

Most of the Hindu Kasar people live in India. Smaller numbers live in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Most Sri Lankan Kasar reside in the Central and Uva states.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The economic position of the Kasar varies widely. Some are wealthy factory owners. These factories use modern machinery to make metal vessels, Hindu idols, utensils, bangles (rigid bracelets) and musical instruments. Other Kasar shape metals items like their ancestors did using ancient techniques. One of their specialties is using a hard form of brass called bell metal. They shape bell metal into polished bells and cymbals. The price of copper has skyrocketed in recent years due to its value in electrical wire. Some Kasar have had to leave the metal working profession and find new employment in agriculture and manufacturing. Literacy is a major issue for the Kasar. Only about 70% of Kasar can read and write. The Sri Lankan government is working to raise that number among all peoples in their country.

Monogamy or marriage to one wife is the accepted practice among the Kasar. Sons inherit property upon the death of their father. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Newly wed couples generally live with or near the groom's parents.

The main foods of the Kasar are rice, vegetables, fruit, lentils, and dairy products. As Hindus, they do not eat beef. Meat is often reserved for special occasions.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kasar practice Hinduism influenced by folk religion. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Kali, the goddess of sexuality and death, is their patron deity. They also worship Vishnu and his avatars Rama and Krishna.

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. The Kasar 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 Hindu Kasar 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?

The Kasar of Sri Lanka need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need help in educating their children and learning new jobs skills as their ancient profession is vanishing. The Kasar need to see the love and mercy of Christ lived out among them in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord will open the hearts of the Kasar people to desire God's blessings through a movement of family-based discovery Bible studies.
Pray that strong movements to Jesus will bring whole Kasar families into rich experiences of God's blessings.
Pray that God will overthrow spiritual forces of darkness opposing the spread of His purposes among the Kasar people.


Scripture Prayers for the Kasar (Hindu traditions) in Sri Lanka.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17110/IN
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twashta Kasar
http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Kasar
http://twashtakasartambat.blogspot.com/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Kasar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Kasar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation kah-SAR
Alternate Names Achari; Balagara; Balegara; Bogam; Bogar; Bogara Jaen; Bogara Jain; Jamera; Kanchara; Kanchari; Kanchera; Kanchigar; Kanchori; Kanchugar; Kanchugara; Kancugara; Kangsbanik; Kanisan; Kannar; Kansai; Kansar; Kansara; Kansari; Kanskar; Kasera; Katansar; Katesan; Katesar; Kesara Jain; Musaplu; Musarlu; Otkar; Pattamkatti; Tamar; Tambat; Tambatkar; Tamer; Tamera; Tamrakar; Tamraokar; Thathera; Thetra; Tinda; Twasta Kasar; कसर (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 3,500
Population all Countries 759,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 17110
ROP3 Code 112453
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 4
Largest States
Central
1,900
Uva
900
Sabaragamuwa
400
Western
300
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 4
  Central 1,900
  Uva 900
  Sabaragamuwa 400
  Western 300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
7.95 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
92.05 %
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 (3,500 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (3,500 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
Photo Source First Assembly of God, St. Joseph, MI 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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