Brahmin Iyer in India

Brahmin Iyer
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
People Name: Brahmin Iyer
Country: India
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 367,000
World Population: 367,000
Primary Language: Tamil
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 Forward Caste - Brahmin
Affinity Bloc: South Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Iyers are originally from India's southeastern state of Tamil Nadu. However, many have migrated to Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala for various reasons, chief among them being the prospect of finding profitable employment.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They were once involved with all kinds of Hindu rituals, but not today. They do, however, maintain the rites and rituals associated with the dead. Iyers are cremated according to Vedic rites soon after they die. Like other Brahmins in south India, the Iyers participate in the Avani Avittam festival. This festival is unique to Brahmins in this part of the world.

Most Iyer Brahmin women have traded the traditional nine-yard saree for modern, convenient clothing. These women are also in the work force of southern India. This would not have been the case 50 years ago.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences. Those who go to them may find the meaning behind certain traditional dances and music to be a bridge to the gospel. There are some followers of Christ among other Brahmin groups in southern India that could potentially reach out to them.

What Are Their Needs?

Iyers Brahmins as an influential and generally well-to-do community are not unlike the middle classes of most places. Their main needs involve relational strains that are usually kept behind closed doors. Modernization is breaking down family units which have been the glue to society for many generations, and loneliness is increasingly a problem. They are expected to "achieve it all," but ironically, achieving it all can be empty.

Prayer Points

Pray that loving believers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will share their Lord with the Iyer Brahmins.

Pray that these Brahmins will have meaningful, life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ.

Pray for hundreds of Iyers Brahmin families to be blessed by following the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Text Source:   Joshua Project