Ilavan people are also known as Izhava or Ezhavas. They live in southern India and Sri Lanka.
Most of the Ilavan in Sri Lanka are either farmers or toddy tappers. They grow coconut, palm trees and sugar cane. They extract sap from their trees to make an alcoholic beverage. Some have become builders, chauffeurs, handymen, lorry drivers and taxi drivers. Others are businessmen, teachers or lecturers.
Ilavan people in Sri Lanka practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods hoping to gain protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews.
Bharatha people in Sri Lanka have practical and educational needs. Bible written, audio, visual resources exist in their Tamil language, yet they remain unreached. Who will tell them?
Pray that the Holy Spirit will prepare Ilavan people in Sri Lanka for the time when he will be fully revealed to them.
Pray that existing Tamil Bible resources will be easily available to them.
Pray that they will be spiritually open to the ways of Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Ilavan in Sri Lanka.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Ilavan |
People Name in Country | Ilavan |
Pronunciation |
ee-LAH-van
|
Alternate Names | Chogan; Chovan; Ezawa; Ezhava; Illathu Pillaimar; Illattu Pillai; Iluvan; Izhattu Pillaimar; Izhava; Izhuva; Izhuvan; Panikkur; Thiya; Tiya; Tiyan; Tiyyan; इलवान |
Population this Country | 71,000 |
Population all Countries | 6,948,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 16965 |
ROP3 Code | 112271 |
ROP25 Code | 303290 |
ROP25 Name | Izattu Pillaimar / Ilavan |
Country | Sri Lanka | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||
Total States on file | 9 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Sri Lanka |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 9 |
Central 37,000 | |
Uva 18,000 | |
Sabaragamuwa 7,400 | |
Western 4,800 | |
Southern 1,400 | |
Eastern 1,100 | |
Northern 600 | |
North Western 400 | |
North Central 100 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.09 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.91 %
|
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 (71,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Tamil (71,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
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) |
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 | Nazly Ahmed - Flickr Creative Commons |
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. |