Subgroups: 4
Subgroup Name | Population ▼ | |
---|---|---|
Jonakan | 3,756,000 | |
Thangal | 2,320,000 | |
Methan | 1,164,000 | |
Thirugantla | -1 Unknown |
The Laccadive Mappilla live in the Lakshadweep Islands off the southwestern coast of India. Malayalam is the state language of Kerala and its script has been significantly influenced by Arabic. The term mappilla is a combination of two words: maha, which means great and pilla, which is an endearing term that means child.
The people of the islands migrated from the Kerala coast around the seventh century. They came as Hindus, but later converted to Islam. The Laccadive Mappilla attribute their conversion to the work of an Arab missionary. The Muslim communities resulted from the unions of Arab sailors and merchants with native women. The islanders have been in contact with the mainland Mappilla through trade and sporadic migrations. The Laccadive Mappilla are unique in that they have maintained a matrilineal society (line of descent is traced through the women) in spite of their Islamic beliefs.
The Lakshadweep Islands are covered with coconut trees, which provide the basis of the Laccadive Mappilla's economy. The coconut supplies coir (the husky fiber, which can be used to make ropes or mats) and copra (coconut meat). These products provide the main industries on the islands. Vinegar is also derivative of coconut sap and is sold on the mainland. Breadfruit (an evergreen timber tree with edible fruits) runs a distant second to coconut in economic importance. Other foods that are raised include papayas, plantains (banana-like fruits), yams, sweet potatoes, maize, and beans.
Each island has various mosques and one or two schools for religious education. Within the last ten years, the government has made efforts to establish high schools and primary schools for girls.
Since 1956, the Laccadive Islands have been a Union Territory with the headquarters of administration at Calicut on the mainland. The local administration of each island is carried out by an Amin, who is appointed by the Administrator of the Laccadive Islands. He is usually selected from the Island Council of Elders, which consists of the heads of lineages.
The common matrilineal unit in the islands is called Taravad, in which individuals trace their descent by a common ancestress in the female line. For example, the right to share in property passes through female members. This system began centuries ago when the men were needed to manage negotiations in trade. Their periodic absence from the island facilitated the adoption of matrilineal blood lines. Maintenance of individually owned property was only possible if the women who stayed behind could officially speak for the family on the man's behalf.
Monogamy (one husband, one wife) prevails among the Laccadive Mappilla, in spite of the fact that Islam may allow a man to have as many as four wives. Cross cousin marriages are preferred, and marriages usually take place shortly after puberty. The man has true authority over his wife only if he stays with her until after all of her male relatives have died. He is then able to manage her property. A man has little authority over his children. Divorce is easy and common; over half of their marriages end in divorce.
Muslim communities strongly discourage their people from following Jesus Christ unless believers reach their leaders first.
The Laccadive Mappilla belong to the Shafite School of the Sunni branch of Islam. Their religion has the typical characteristics of Islamic beliefs and practices, in addition to certain local features that have developed according to their particular way of life. Every child has to read the Koran completely in Arabic at least once, but the meaning is not explained to them. Priesthood is inherited through the females.
The Bible, the Jesus film, and some Christian broadcasts are available in the Malayalam language; however, very few of the islanders have responded to the Gospel. Prayer is the key to reaching them for Christ.
Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to India and share Christ with the Laccadive Mappilla.
Pray for the effectiveness of the Jesus film among these people.
Ask God to use the few Laccadive Mappilla believers to share Christ with their own people.
Ask the Lord to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through intercession.
Pray that God will open the hearts of India's governmental and religious leaders to the Gospel.
Scripture Prayers for the Mappila in India.
Profile Source: Bethany World Prayer Center |
People Name General | Mappila |
People Name in Country | Mappila |
Pronunciation |
MAH-pee-lah
|
Alternate Names | Bhai; Byari; Jamma Mappila; Kaka; Kodava; Mapara; Mapilla; Mopla; Moplah; Moplaha; Saheb; मप्पीला |
Population this Country | 10,436,000 |
Population all Countries | 10,447,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 209 |
People ID | 17452 |
ROP3 Code | 112857 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Muslim - other |
People Group | Mappila |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Affinity Bloc | South Asian Peoples |
People Cluster | South Asia Muslim - other |
People Group | Mappila |
Ethnic Code | CNN25 |
Total Subgroups | 4 |
Jonakan 3,756,000 | |
Thangal 2,320,000 | |
Methan 1,164,000 | |
Thirugantla 60 |
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 | 22 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States (only 15 largest shown) |
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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 | 22 (only 20 largest shown) |
Kerala 10,003,000 | |
Tamil Nadu 109,000 | |
Karnataka 92,000 | |
Maharashtra 43,000 | |
Puducherry 15,000 | |
Delhi 2,500 | |
Andhra Pradesh 1,900 | |
West Bengal 1,300 | |
Lakshadweep 1,200 | |
Uttar Pradesh 1,100 | |
Madhya Pradesh 1,100 | |
Gujarat 1,100 | |
Telangana 1,100 | |
Rajasthan 600 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 500 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
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 (8,712,000 speakers) | ||||||
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing | ||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||
Total Languages | 7 | ||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Malayalam (8,712,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mal Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 7 |
Secondary Languages | |
Urdu 18,000 | |
Konkani 1,000 | |
Tulu 800 | |
English 400 | |
Konkani, Goan 400 | |
Tamil 70 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Shagil Kannur - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |