Samban in India


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 Samban people live in India, primarily in the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. They speak Tamil, the language of Tamil Nadu. Their history is closely linked to the region’s indigenous communities, with roots that trace back to the early inhabitants of the area. The Samban have traditionally engaged in agriculture and forest-based activities, relying on the land and natural resources for their livelihood. Over time, they have adapted to various socio-political changes while maintaining a distinct identity within the diverse population of northeastern India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Samban people primarily engage in subsistence farming, cultivating crops such as rice, maize and vegetables. They also rely on forest products, including fruits, medicinal plants and timber for both sustenance and income. Villages are usually small, with homes made from locally sourced materials like bamboo, wood and thatch.

Social life revolves around the extended family and community activities, with a strong emphasis on cooperation and mutual support. Education access has improved, but many Samban children still face challenges related to economic constraints and limited educational facilities in remote areas. Healthcare services are often inadequate, leading to a reliance on traditional medicine and local healers.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Samban people practice a blend of animism and Hinduism, with a deep connection to nature and the spirits they believe inhabit it. They worship a variety of deities and spirits associated with the land, water and forests conducting rituals to honor these entities and seek their protection. Hindu practices, including the worship of mainstream deities, have also been integrated into their spiritual life. Festivals and ceremonies play a central role in their religious practices, often involving the entire community.


What Are Their Needs?

The Samban people face significant challenges related to economic development, education and healthcare. Many continue to rely on subsistence farming and forest resources, with limited access to alternative livelihoods. Educational opportunities are scarce, particularly in remote areas, leading to low literacy rates and limited access to higher education. Healthcare services are minimal, resulting in poor health outcomes and a reliance on traditional practices that may not always meet modern health needs. Infrastructure improvements, such as better roads, clean water supply and access to electricity are essential to enhancing their quality of life. Initiatives focused on sustainable development, education and healthcare access are crucial for the long-term progress of the Samban people.


Prayer Points

Pray that the hearing of the word will result in Samban leaders confessing their sins and worshiping the true Lord. Pray that the knowledge of the Lord will result in a movement to Christ that will spread far and wide throughout south India.


Scripture Prayers for the Samban in India.


References

Northeast India Tribal Studies. (2023). Ethnographic Overview of the Samban People. Retrieved from northeastindiatribalstudies.org
UNDP India. (2023). Development Needs of Tribal Communities in Northeast India. Retrieved from in.undp.org


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Samban
People Name in Country Samban
Alternate Names Adi Dravida; Adi Dravidar; Ayodhya Kapu; Chammadi; Chammadi Reddy; Chanbadi; Chanbadi Reddy; Paraiyan; Samban Christian; Sambuni; Sambuni Kapu; Sammade Reddy; Sammadi; संबन
Population this Country 25,000
Population all Countries 26,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18007
ROP3 Code 113500
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 7
Largest States
Andhra Pradesh
10,000
Tamil Nadu
8,600
Kerala
5,600
Delhi
100
Telangana
100
Karnataka
100
Puducherry
20
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 7
  Andhra Pradesh 10,000
  Tamil Nadu 8,600
  Kerala 5,600
  Delhi 100
  Telangana 100
  Karnataka 100
  Puducherry 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.96 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.04 %
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 Tamil (8,800 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
Telugu
8,000
Malayalam
5,000
Kannada
100
Punjabi, Eastern
Primary Language Tamil (8,800 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 5
Secondary Languages
  Telugu 8,000
  Malayalam 5,000
  Kannada 100
  Punjabi, Eastern 10
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 data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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