Introduction / History

The Vannan people live in India's southern states: Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. Some live further north in Maharashtra. They speak Tamil.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Washing clothes is their traditional work and they are landless. The Vannan have caste councils to settle disagreements. They desire good education and use modern medicine.
They are endogamous (meaning they prefer to marry within their community), and they practice cousin marriages. Family elders arrange marriages through discussions. Men have only one wife. Elders can allow for divorce, and each party is free to remarry.
On the death of the father, the sons share the property, and the oldest son takes charge of the family estate. They have birth, marriage and death rituals. They cremate or bury their dead.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Vannan people 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?

The Vannan people need advanced education so they can compete in India's modernizing economy. They also need their families and communities to be transformed by the loving touch of the only savior.

Prayer Points

Pray that the leaders of the caste councils will come to Jesus Christ and lead others of the Vannan to him.
Pray for spiritual hunger and discernment.
Pray for Holy Spirit sent workers to take Christ to the Vannan people.

Scripture Prayers for the Vannan (Hindu traditions) in India.