Teli (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

Within the caste system of India there are numerous communities which have a given task to benefit others. The Teli community is one of these. Traditionally, they were an oil extracting community. They were considered one of the Vaisya, or trading communities. That put them as part of the third highest of four caste clusters.
Most Teli people live throughout India. A smaller number live in Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka or Pakistan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Teli community once did the labor-intensive job of pressing and extracting cooking oil, but now that job is done by mechanical means. For this reason, they have mainly resorted to farming or animal husbandry. A good many of these are landless, and some have applied to be considered "Other backward castes" so they can receive special treatment from the Indian government. A smaller number are businessmen or hotel managers, metal workers, cart pullers or common laborers. Many work in government jobs, and they are active in politics.
The Teli people are endogamous, meaning they only marry within their own community. Family heads and elders arrange their marriages, and the dowry is paid with cash and valuable goods. In today's world, Teli people live mainly in nuclear families.
Like all other South Asian communities, women have lower status and power than men; however, women take a leading role in social and religious activities. Women also help with the family income through embroidery and other money-making activities.
The perception of Christianity as an invading influence that breaks up families and promotes many social problems is a serious obstacle to Teli families and communities humbly accepting God's blessing for their families.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Teli are mainly Hindus who have special celebrations at weddings and the birth of a child. They cremate the dead, and scatter the ashes in a river, preferably the Ganges, a river that Hindus consider to be holy. They worship their ancestors and seek protection from evil spirits. This people group is pragmatic in their spiritual practices. They worship a "wish-fulfilling goddess" whom they hope will answer their prayers.
In Sri Lanka, there are more Teli people who follow the Lord than in other countries.


What Are Their Needs?

The Teli people are not usually poor, but they need better access to higher education and good job opportunities. They also need access to meeting the Risen Christ and the opportunity to follow him.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Teli people will develop a hunger for the true God.
Pray that believers will reach out to this people with the blessings of Christ.
Pray that soon the oil of the Holy Spirit would anoint Teli community leaders and lead them to throw open the doors for their people to follow Jesus.
Pray for the Lord to raise up Teli believers who will disciple others and begin the process of starting a Disciple Making Movement among this people group.


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


References

http://www.peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/teli/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teli
https://www.quora.com/I-belong-to-the-Teli-caste-from-Bihar-residing-in-Kolkata-Recently-Bihar-Government-has-included-Teli-caste-in-Extremely-backward-caste-list-How-Can-I-get-my-caste-certificate


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Teli (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Teli (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation TEL-ee
Alternate Names Badbaik; Balu; Devi-Telikula; Gachhi; Gandla; Ganiga; Ganigaru; Ganita; Goundla; Gunigan; Gunija; Hansari; Harsolia; Kalu; Kanala; Malik; Maliks; Modh Ganchi; Murmi; Rathor; Sahu; Sahu Samaj; Somakshatriya; Taili; Tailik; Teli Telukula; Telikula; Telipal; Telwain; Tili; Tilwan; Vaniyan; टेली (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 4,800
Population all Countries 22,116,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18229
ROP3 Code 113757
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Central
3,300
Sabaragamuwa
500
Western
500
Uva
300
Southern
100
Northern
50
Eastern
50
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 7
  Central 3,300
  Sabaragamuwa 500
  Western 500
  Uva 300
  Southern 100
  Northern 50
  Eastern 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
6.93 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
93.07 %
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
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Bengali
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Bengali
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)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
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Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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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
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Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
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General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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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
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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 Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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