Kaikolan 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 Kaikolan people live in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. A smaller number are in Sri Lanka, an island nation to the south of India. Traditionally, the Kaikolan were involved in growing, weaving and selling cotton. They are classified as a Backwards Caste meaning they are eligible for special university admissions and public jobs.
The Kaikolan speak several languages. Their main language is Tamil. Many resources are available in Tamil including a complete Bible, radio broadcasts and the JESUS Film.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kaikolan live in extended families. The occupations of the Kaikolan who live in rural areas are agriculture and animal husbandry. Urban Kaikolan work in factories, in construction, in retail and for the government. Families and young people arrange marriages. The newly wedded couple often lives with the groom's parents. Sons inherit the property of their father upon his death. Unfortunately, the education level of many Kaikolan is low. Children frequently quit school after a few years to help their parents earn a living. A caste council settle legal issues and enforces social norms. Educated Kaikolan have found jobs in the computer science, schools, medicine and engineering.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of the Kaikolan practice Hinduism. 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. The Kaikolan visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods as Christians do. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Kaikolan 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. The caste system divides Hindus into four main categories. The lowest communities are outside of the caste system. The Kaikolan fit into the working class.
A small fraction of the Kaikolan claim to followers of Jesus Christ.


What Are Their Needs?

Most Kaikolan need to be more proficient in reading and writing. They need to learn new job skills and have access to university education. Kaikolan villages need access to clean water, electricity and modern medicine.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to give open minds to the Kaikolan and a hunger for God's truth.
Ask the Lord to raise up a movement to Christ among the Kaikolan soon.
Pray for a medical team to go to Kaikolan villages and tell the Kaikolan about Jesus.
Pray for Tamil Bibles to fall into the hands of seeking Kaikolan.


Scripture Prayers for the Kaikolan in Sri Lanka.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kaikolan
People Name in Country Kaikolan
Alternate Names Kaikala; Kaikola Mudali; Karikalabakthalu; Kerala Mudaliyar; Mudaliar; Segundar; Sengundar Christian; Sengunthar; Sengunthar Kaikola Mudaliyar; Sengurithar; काकोलन
Population this Country 81,000
Population all Countries 3,026,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 17199
ROP3 Code 112563
ROP25 Code 303851
ROP25 Name Kayikolan
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Central
44,000
Uva
19,000
Sabaragamuwa
8,300
Western
5,700
Southern
1,400
Eastern
1,300
Northern
800
North Western
700
North Central
200
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Central 44,000
  Uva 19,000
  Sabaragamuwa 8,300
  Western 5,700
  Southern 1,400
  Eastern 1,300
  Northern 800
  North Western 700
  North Central 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
12.52 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
87.48 %
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 (81,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tamil (81,000 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
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 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 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
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  India Missions Association  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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