Sishtakarnam in India

Sishtakarnam
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Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Sishtakarnam
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 1,100
World Population: 1,100
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

Sishtakarnam people are only found in India. Historically, they were involved in royal management of ruling dynasties in ancient Orissa, now called Odisha. They were appointed to work as accountants, court officials, taxation, problem solving in villages, and collecting information and statistics.

Where Are they Located?

The Sishtakarnam people live along the coast of Andhra Pradesh.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Sishtakarnam people are associated with Niyogi Brahmans, giving them much social esteem.
They are a writer caste, involving themselves in professions that need writing skills, ie. Documentation of land and property titles, accounts maintenance, and legal writing. Today, many Sishtakarnam people work as software professionals and medical doctors in foreign countries.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sishtakarnam people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Each Hindu community can choose the gods they worship based on which ones they believe will benefit them. They 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 like Christians or Jews. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Sishtakarnam 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.

What Are Their Needs?

Although audio, visual and written Bible resources are available in Telugu, their spoken language, they remain unreached with the truth of the gospel. Their greatest need is to understand the infinite love of Almighty God for them, and his provisional payment of the penalty for their sins. They need a relationship with the Holy God who blesses all who call on His name!

Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Sishtakarnam
Pray for the Sishtakarnam people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Sishtakarnam people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Sishtakarnam disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Sishtakarnam communities.

Text Source:   Keith Carey