Perka in India

Perka
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Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Perka
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 229,000
World Population: 229,000
Primary Language: Telugu
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Christian Adherents: 0.00 %
Evangelicals: 0.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Online Audio NT: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: South Asia Hindu - other
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Pariki Muggula, or Perka, believe their ancestors were experts at sorcery and black magic. They performed a certain ritual to overcome the malignant effects of evil spirits on a possessed person. Before performing this ritual, they drew designs of the evil and malignant spirits on the floor with muggurai (a mineral). Thus, these people came to be called Pariki Muggula.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The traditional occupation of the Perka has been begging and fortune-telling, but today many are employed in other ways. They are expert at design-making and tattooing. Married women use a marriage pendant, vermilion, black beads, and toe-rings as marriage symbols.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are Hindus, and act as sacred specialists in curing ailments caused by evil spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

The Perka people may be especially influenced by evil spiritual forces since they have a history of involvement with spiritism. They need the power of the Holy Spirit to free them from the spirit world.

Prayer Points

It is unlikely there are any followers of Jesus Christ among the Perka people, but please pray for those who will soon come to saving faith.
Pray they will completely escape any lingering effects of past involvement with the occult.
Pray they will hear this good news, will understand it and have faith to believe.
Pray for loving workers to go to them and help them make disciples who will make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project