Boya in Sri Lanka


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Boyars migrated from Indo-Iran around 5th century BC to Indian sub-continent and later 9th century to Turkey, Ireland and Romania. Boyas have Dravidian roots came from Indus Valley invaded south region. The Boyar arrived in Andhra - Odisha region during Indo-Aryan migration around 5th century BC. Boyar warriors served as military regiment between 10th century to 15th century in Chalukya, Chola, Vijayanagar and Hoysala empires.
The Musunuri Nayaks were Boyars and Kamma warrior chieftains in the Kakatiya army, who regained Andhra in 1326 from the Delhi Sultanate in the aftermath of the Kakatiya defeat. King Pratapa Rudras Kakatiya kingdom was served by seventy-five chieftains called Nayaks. The Nayaks who belonged to various agrarian castes such as Boyar, Velama, Kamma, Reddy, Telaga, Balija, etc. were divided by mutual jealousy and rivalry but they are valiant cousins. Later in 17th century Boyars distinguished themselves as smiths, sculptors, nobles, leaders, priests, landlords, temple sculptors, arm traders and sea farers.
The Boya community has many gotras. The Boya are considered one of the oldest castes and origin among many castes in India. The Boya can be found throughout Andhra Pradesh, but some are in Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Rice, ragi and jowar are their stable cereals. Agriculture is their main occupation. They also work as laborers on an annual wage basis. Only a small number are employed in government offices. Child labor is prevalent.
They live in nuclear families and follow patrilocal residence. Marriages are arranged by parents and dowry is a popular practice. A divorced man can remarry but a divorced woman is not allowed to remarry. Cross-cousin and maternal uncle-nice marriages have preference.
Unlike most Hindu communities, the Boya bury their dead.


What Are Their Beliefs?

These Hindus worship gods such as Malavobulesu, Chettu Devara and Mabbu Devara. On special occasions young boys perform a folk dance called Kilata or Kolanna. New clothes are offered during the Ugadi and Sankranti festivals as a form ancestor worship. They work as laborers who set up pandals and carry lights on festive occasion.


What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.


Prayer Points

Pray for the salvation of entire Boya families. May they take the name of Christ to other families.
Pray for various developmental programs to improve their lives.
Pray for loving workers to go to the Boya people.


Scripture Prayers for the Boya in Sri Lanka.


References

India Missions Association, Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Boya
People Name in Country Boya
Pronunciation BOW-yah
Alternate Names Bedar; Bestha; Bhovi; Boyar; Boyi; Chaduru; Chaduru Boya; Chinna; Chudinayakulu; Donga Boya; Dora; Ellapi; Gangavar; Gentu; Gunta; Gurikara; Kalawathilla Boya; Kavalivaru (Naidu); Kirathaka; Mutharasulu; Naicker; Naidu; Nayakudu; Nishad; Nishadas; Oddar; Pedda; Sabari; Sunkulamma Boya; Talari; Vaddar; Vaidu; Valmiki; Waidu; Yellapulu; बोया
Population this Country 17,000
Population all Countries 4,535,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16518
ROP3 Code 111690
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 7
Largest States
Central
9,600
Uva
3,400
Sabaragamuwa
1,800
Western
1,500
Southern
300
North Western
200
Eastern
100
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 7
  Central 9,600
  Uva 3,400
  Sabaragamuwa 1,800
  Western 1,500
  Southern 300
  North Western 200
  Eastern 100
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
14.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
86.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Telugu
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Telugu
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  (1727-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pastors Study Bible Tamil Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Tamil Bible (தமிழ் பைபிள்) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Tamil Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Tamil Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Tamil Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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