Tamil is one of the major languages of South India and the 17th most spoken language in the world. Tamil is one of the oldest written languages with a history going back 3000 years. Tamil speakers are proud of their culture and literary tradition. Tamil speakers often use English or some other trade language, but most still use Tamil as their family language.
Large populations of Tamils have left southern India and Sri Lanka and come to live in over 24 nations, including France, where most live in Paris. Tamils came from many of France's colonies, Pondicherry (India), and others. The first ones arrived in France in the late 1600s from the French-administered colony of Puducherry, now called Pondicherry. Most were from a middle class background. In the 1790s, the French East India Company send more Tamils from French colonies to France.
More recently, in the 1980s, Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka have migrated to France as refugees.
Tamils in France arrived fluent in Tamil and English; they had to learn French. To preserve their culture, they have established Tamil schools in Paris. Commonly, Tamils have a good business background, so they have opened family businesses, boutiques, and Tamil restaurants. Their part of Paris is a popular tourist destination, especially during the yearly Ganesh festival.
The father is the head of the Tamil family. He shares leadership with his wife over the children. A woman has a higher place in the Tamil home than in most South Asian cultures. Parents encourage their sons and daughters to excel in education and obtain college degrees. Tamils in France try to maintain their ethnic identity and at the same time fit in with the general population. Parents might object to their children marrying someone from the local population, especially if they are not Hindus from a high status community. This is likely to be a point of contention as the next generation becomes more European in their worldview.
Though there are many Muslim and Christian Tamils, the majority practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Tamils 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs. The main yearly holidays of the Tamil people are Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
The Tamils in France must understand that Jesus is not only the Lord and Savior of Westerners. Jesus is the Tamils' Lord and savior too.
Pray the Lord raises up a movement to Christ among Tamils in France soon.
Pray the Lord moves believers and churches in France to share the good news with Hindu Tamils.
Pray for Tamil speaking Christians in France to be Christ's ambassadors other Hindu communities.
Pray for prominent Hindu Tamils to have the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find Jesus.
Scripture Prayers for the Tamil (Hindu traditions) in France.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_diaspora
https://murugan.org/research/sivasupramaniam.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamils_in_France
https://tamilelibrary.org/teli/paris1.html
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
