The word vala means tall fishing net since they are one of the traditional fishing castes. They believe they were brought to Kerala as boatmen. In the earlier days of their community they were not only fishermen but also landed farmers or medical doctors. The Valan live in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They speak, read and write in Malayalam, the language of Kerala.
The Valan work in fishing, farming and small business. They have a caste council to look after their interests. They try to make sure their children have an education. They allow for divorce and remarriage. Unlike most Hindu peoples, they bury their dead. Property goes to the sons with the oldest son taking charge of the family estate upon the death of the father.
Hinduism is their religion. They have their own festivals. 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.
The Valan people need believers from other South Indian communities to share with them how to find the abundant life that only Jesus Christ offers to all nations.
Pray that the caste council leaders will come to Jesus Christ and lead their entire community to consider the claims of the Lord. Pray for faithful intercessors and workers to go to them. Pray for them to prosper spiritually and give the God of heaven the glory.
Scripture Prayers for the Valan in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Valan |
People Name in Country | Valan |
Alternate Names | Arayan; Cochin Moyer; Dheevaru; Katal Arayan; Katal Aryan; Katalaraiyan; Moger; Nulayan; Nulayar; Nullayan; Valayan; वलन |
Population this Country | 108,000 |
Population all Countries | 108,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 18294 |
ROP3 Code | 113839 |
ROP25 Code | 308535 |
ROP25 Name | Valan |
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 on file | 3 | |||
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) |
Total States | 3 |
Kerala 66,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 42,000 | |
Delhi 100 | |
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 (58,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Malayalam (58,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Tamil 33,000 | |
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 | Anonymous |
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. |