Nadar (Hindu traditions) in Sri Lanka


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

In the past the Nadar people of southern India owned and cultivated palmyra palm trees. Either they or their servants would climb the palm tree, cut a branch and collect the sweet sap. Although all parts of this palm tree are valuable, the sap quickly becomes palm wine in the warm climate of south India. The production of palm wine or toddy was the main occupation of the Nadars until modern times.

The Nadar speak Tamil and other regional languages. The Nadar people live primarily in the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala today. A smaller number live in the other southern states.

There is also a Nadar community in Sri Lanka. A 26-year civil war starting in 1983 took place in the Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of up to 100,000 and caused millions of dollars in property damage. The majority Buddhist Sinhalese declared victory over the Hindu Tamil Tigers in 2009. As Hindu Tamils, many Nadar sided with the rebellious Tamil Tigers. That has brought the Nadars under the scrutiny of the Buddhist majority.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some Nadar and government leaders are trying to discourage the production of alcohol and encourage the production of sugar from the sap of the palm tree. Today, many Nadars obtain higher education and achieve leadership positions in business and government. Some educated Nadars are fully engaged in modern Sri Lankan society, while others, lacking formal education, work and live in rural villages, following the traditions of their ancestors. This underscores the importance of higher education for the Nadar community.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of the Nadar people are Hindus. The Goddess Bhadrakali is the chief deity of the Nadar. The Nadar also claim that they are the descendants of Bhadrakali. A Bhadrakali temple is at the center of nearly every Nadar community. She is pictured as a fierce warrior with three eyes and carrying weapons with her many hands. The Nadar also worship Murugan, the god of war and son of Shiva.

A small but significant percentage of Nadar are Christians, both Protestants and Catholics.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nadar people need Christ s ambassadors to introduce them to the one who brings life to the full. They must comprehend that Jesus is more than another Hindu god or guru. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.

Rural Nadar need access to modern medical and clean water. They also need advanced education.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Nadar Christians would be trained in discipleship and reach out to their Hindu neighbors with the gospel of Christ.
Pray that Nadar churches read and study the Tamil Bibles that are available.
Pray for Christian colleges to offer advanced education to the Nadars.
Pray for Nadar disciples to disciple others in Sri Lanka and India.


Scripture Prayers for the Nadar (Hindu traditions) in Sri Lanka.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadar_(caste)


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Nadar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Nadar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation NAH-dar
Alternate Names Chanmar; Channan; Gramani; Mamameri; Marar; Nadar Christian; Sanan; Shana; Shanan; Shanana; Shananar; Torke Nadar; Uppu Nadar; नादर
Population this Country 28,000
Population all Countries 3,485,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 17735
ROP3 Code 113193
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
Central
17,000
Western
3,900
Sabaragamuwa
1,400
Eastern
1,300
Northern
1,100
Uva
600
North Western
500
Southern
400
North Central
50
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 9
  Central 17,000
  Western 3,900
  Sabaragamuwa 1,400
  Eastern 1,300
  Northern 1,100
  Uva 600
  North Western 500
  Southern 400
  North Central 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
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
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Malayalam
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Malayalam
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Tamil Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Tamil Bible (தமிழ் பைபிள்) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Tamil Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Tamil Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Tamil Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
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.