Velamas, are sometimes called, Yelamas. We do not know anything about their origin.
This Hindu people group lives in the states of Telegana and Andhra Pradesh.
Weather is hot and humid most of the year along the coast and drier in the interior. Monsoons occur in June and October providing rain fall for agriculture. The occupation of this people group is agriculture.
Velama Koppala people enjoy their food hot and spicy, abundant with vegetables, fish, eggs, chicken, and flatbreads. Dinners are usually large meals.
Velama Koppala people shave their heads rather than tying their hair in a knot.
Those do not shave their heads but tie the hair in a knot (koppu) on the top of the head. They observe a custom in that a man marries his maternal uncle's daughter. Brāhman priests officiate at marriages. Widows are permitted to remarry seven times, and, an elder brother is allowed to marry the widow of his younger brother. Women wear on the right wrist a solid silver bangle, and on the left wrist two bangles with black glass bangles, which are broken when a woman becomes a widow.
The custom of sending a sword to represent an absent bridegroom at a wedding is not uncommon among Velamas.
Velama Kpoppala people are fully Hindu in their religious practice and culture. They obey and fear multitudes of gods. These gods control their lives in every respect. Audio, visual and written Bible resources exist in Telugu, their spoken language, however there are no genuine Christians among them.
The most important need of Velama Koppala people is to understand that their good works, sacrifices and worship of false gods will never pay the penalty for their sins, and that Almighty Creator God has made the provision for them to live eternally with Him.
Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Velama Koppala people for Jesus and that in God's sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Velama Koppala families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Velama Koppala people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Velama Koppala people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.
Scripture Prayers for the Velama Koppala in India.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Castes_and_Tribes_of_Southern_India/Velama
https://www.velamanaidumatrimony.com/koppal-koppula-velamavelamanaidu-brides
https://www.facebook.com/KOPPALAVELAMA
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Velama Koppala |
People Name in Country | Velama Koppala |
Natural Name | Koppala Velama |
Alternate Names | Koppala Velama; Koppula Velaa; Thurpu Hindu Velama; Thurpu Koppala Velama; Tothala Velama; वेलमा कोप्पाला |
Population this Country | 26,000 |
Population all Countries | 26,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 21358 |
ROP3 Code | 118182 |
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 | 2 | |||
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 | 2 |
Telangana 25,000 | |
Andhra Pradesh 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 | Telugu (26,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tel Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Telugu (26,000 speakers) |
Language Code | tel Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Telugu |
Primary Language: Telugu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1812-1966) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1818-1989) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1854-2022) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
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. |