Most Samantan live in Kerala and speak, read and write in Malayalam. A smaller number live in West Bengal and Odisha. They were traditionally part of the ruling elite and large landowners; one of the high status Kshatriya caste. Among them there are both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
The Samantan work in cultivation, business and some work for the government. They have a council to look after their needs. They are usually college educated. The Samantan family leaders arrange marriages between cousins. There are birth and marriage rituals. The divorced can marry again with approval. The bereaved can marry again. The dead are usually cremated except for very young children who are buried.
The Samantan people 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. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins.
They need the abundant life that only Jesus Christ can offer.
Pray that the leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead others a disciple making movement. Pray that gospel materials to become easily available for Discovery Bible Studies. Pray for intercessors and workers.
Scripture Prayers for the Samanthan in India.
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2009-09-29 |
People Name General | Samanthan |
People Name in Country | Samanthan |
Alternate Names | Jatapu; Khondh; Kond; Kuvinga; Kuwi; Samantan; Samantiyai; समांथन |
Population this Country | 58,000 |
Population all Countries | 58,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18010 |
ROP3 Code | 113504 |
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 | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
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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 | 7 |
Odisha 28,000 | |
West Bengal 25,000 | |
Kerala 2,800 | |
Tamil Nadu 300 | |
Jharkhand 300 | |
Andaman and Nicobar 90 | |
Karnataka 60 | |
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 India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Odia (23,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | ory Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 8 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Odia (23,000 speakers) |
Language Code | ory Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 8 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bengali 21,000 | |
Malayalam 2,600 | |
Hindi 1,000 | |
Telugu 600 | |
Kui 200 | |
Kurux 70 | |
Tamil 70 | |
People Groups | Speaking Odia |
Primary Language: Odia
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1811-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1809-2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1815-2021) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source |
(Representative photo) Copyrighted © 2023 Isudas All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |