The Naik Makkalu Bedar live in Karnataka. They speak, read and write in Kannada.
The Naik Makkalu Bedar work mainly as agricultural laborers. They are not vegetarians, but their staple foods are wheat and rice. They have an association that looks after their interests. Boys are more educated than girls. They use modern medicine.
The Naik Makkalu Bedar are monogamous. They have cousin marriages. There are birth and marriage rituals. Divorce is allowed on matters such as adultery and bad treatment. Divorcees and the bereaved can marry again. The dead are buried. On the death of the father, sons inherit the property with the oldest son taking charge of the family estate.
The Naik Makkalu Bedar 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.
The Naik Makkalu Bedar people need the spiritual hunger it takes to seek and find the Lord of lords, the only one who can bless them for eternity!
Pray that the Association leaders come to Jesus Christ and lead others to him.
Pray that gospel recordings and literature will lead them to salvation.
Pray for spiritual hunger and a willingness to embrace Christ no matter what the cost.
Scripture Prayers for the Bedar Naik Makkalu in India.
Singh, K. S., ed. “India's Communities A-Z”, Oxford University Press, USA 1999
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
