Mala Dasu in India

Introduction / History

The Mala are also known as Adi-Andhra. They can be found in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Karnataka. They speak the Telugu language along with the regional languages. The traditional occupation of the Mala is agricultural labor in the fields of land owning communities, or weaving goods out of cotton or silk.

They are either “other backward castes” or “scheduled castes” which indicates a lower middle status. The Mala have various sub-groups such as Charu, Reddi, Parayan, Bandari and Dasu. Some of these have slightly higher status than others.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Dasu Mala work as shopkeepers and vegetable vendors and some work in cotton and oil mills. Some are employed in various government offices as teachers, doctors, administrators, engineers and in defense services.

Their staple cereals are rice and finger millets or ragi. Mala people smoke an indigenous cheroot or Chutta. Both men and women habitually drink toddy and arrak, both alcoholic drinks. They make crude drums out of cattle hides and are customarily employed to play these drums during village festivals. They participate in cultural activities during the Ambedkar Jayanthi festival.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Mala peoples such as the Dasu Mala are usually Hindu. They worship family deities such as Yellamma and ancestral spirits. Urkondi Irrana in Andhra Pradesh is their sacred center.

What Are Their Needs?

The Dasu Mala people need to put their hope in the King of kings, realizing that he is the one who gives them worth and dignity.

Prayer Points

Pray for God to send several Christian workers to meet their spiritual and physical needs.
Pray for Dasu Mala people to embrace Christ in such a way they will never turn back.
Pray for Dasu Mala disciplers.
Pray for spiritual hunger leading to a movement to Christ among the Dasu Mala people.

Text Source:   Joshua Project