Iyers are originally from India's southeastern state of Tamil Nadu. However many have migrated to Karnataka for various reasons, chief among them being the prospect of finding profitable employment. Most Iyer Brahman women have traded the traditional nine-yard saree for modern, convenient clothing. These women are also in the work force of southern India. This would not have been the case 50 years ago.
They were once involved with all kinds of Hindu rituals, but not today. They do, however, maintain the rites and rituals associated with the dead. Iyers are cremated according to Vedic rites soon after they die. Like other Brahmans in south India, the Iyers participate in the Avani Avittam festival. This festival is unique to Brahmans in this part of the world.
Brahmans believe that if they are faithful to do what the gods expect of them, after they pass away they can reach nirvana, that perfect state of nothingness that Hindus seek. Embracing Christ would interfere with this long-awaited spiritual goal.
The Iyers have always taken an interest in preserving the arts and sciences. Those who go to them may find the meaning behind certain traditional dances and music to be a bridge to the gospel. There are some followers of Christ among other Brahman groups in southern India that could potentially reach out to them.
There are no known followers of Christ in this Brahman community. Pray that believers in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu will share their Lord with the Iyer Brahmans. Pray that these Brahmans will have meaningful, life-changing encounters with Jesus Christ.
Scripture Prayers for the Brahmin Iyer in India.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Brahmin of India profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
Global Prayer Digest: 2015-09-20 |
People Name General | Brahmin Iyer |
People Name in Country | Brahmin Iyer |
Natural Name | Iyer Brahmin |
Population this Country | 340,000 |
Population all Countries | 340,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 7 |
Alternate Names | Ayangar; Ayanger; Ayyiar Brahman; Ayyiar Brahmin; Iver; Iyengar; Iyengar Brahman; Iyengar Brahmin; Sri Vaishnava; Srivaishnava Brahman Iyengar; Srivaishnava Brahmin Iyengar; Tengalai; Thengalai; Vadagalai; ब्रामिन, इएर |
People ID | 20214 |
ROP3 Code | 115723 |
Country | India | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||||||
Total States on file | 6 | ||||||
Largest States |
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Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 10 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 6 |
Tamil Nadu 246,000 | |
Andhra Pradesh 31,000 | |
Karnataka 28,000 | |
Kerala 19,000 | |
Puducherry 12,000 | |
Telangana 2,800 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Language | Tamil (293,000 speakers) | |||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil (293,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Malayalam 9,800 | |
Telugu 6,600 | |
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 (1727-2019) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching |
Audio Recordings | General Ministry Resources |
Audio Recordings | Love letter to you from scripture |
Audio Recordings | Online Audio Scripture |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament |
Audio Recordings | Recorded oral Bible |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio |
Film / Video | Finding Peace |
Film / Video | Following Jesus video |
Film / Video | God's Story video |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Tamil |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels |
Film / Video | Magdalena video |
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. |