The Paky or Thoti are a scheduled caste who live in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Pondicherry. They speak Oriya and Telugu and read and write in Telugu.
The Thoti work as scavengers, in rickshaw pulling and in agricultural labor. They are mostly landless. The women do domestic work. They have a low literacy level, so the gospel will need to be given in oral form. They are not vegetarians, do not eat buffalo meat and eat rice as a staple food.
The Thoti 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.
Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like 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 Thoti people need a John 10:10 blessing: The abundant life Jesus offers those who are willing to submit to his lordship.
Pray for the Thoti culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among their family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Thoti people.
Pray that soon the Thoti people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.
Scripture Prayers for the Thoti, caste in India.
Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
