Introduction / History

Kanarese is term for the people who speak the Kannada language of India's southern state of Karnataka. It is a Dravidian language, meaning that it is one of the older languages from the original inhabitants of the subcontinent. There are traces of ancient versions of this language in southern India dating back 2400 years.

There are many South Asian diaspora groups in the United States. Those who speak Kannada are smaller in number than most of the others.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Kanarese people are among the many South Asian communities who have migrated to the United States. With the exception of those who speak Bengali or Gujarati, South Asians tend to come together as one group. For example all South Asians celebrate August 15 as Independence Day together.

There is one major difference between other South Asians and Kanarese people. Kanarese people sometimes come from lower socio-economic communities than the others.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kanarese people in the United States 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.

What Are Their Needs?

Kanarese people in the United States need a spiritual hunger that will give them incentive to find the abundant life only Jesus Christ offers.

Prayer Points

Pray for spiritual hunger to come to Kanarese Hindus, leading them to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Pray for believers to lovingly reach out to the Kanarese in the U.S.
Pray there will soon come a day when Kanarese disciples will make more disciples.

Scripture Prayers for the Kanarese in United States.

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kannadigas
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Indian_diaspora
https://books.google.com/books?id=fraGAwAAQBAJ&q=Madrasi+diaspora&pg=PA35