Madiga (Christian traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The Madiga people are shoemakers of the southeast Indian states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Madiga are classified as a Scheduled Caste Community. Traditionally the Madiga perform unclean jobs that higher caste Hindus will not do. As a Schedules Caste the Madiga are given public jobs and special consideration for university admissions. Unfortunately, many of the Madiga are unable to read or write.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The houses of the Madiga are located in the outskirts of villages. They do jobs connected with leather and dead cattle which is repugnant to Hindus. The Madiga make shoes, belts and other leather materials. Most Madiga live in poverty. They also play 'tappeta' a hand drum for their village deities on Hindu holidays. The Madiga also perform duties that prepares corpses for cremation.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of the Madiga are Hindus. Smaller groups claim to be Christians and Muslims. The Madiga also are influenced by folk religion, the belief that spirits inhabit the objects of nature.

What Are Their Needs?

Though many of the Madiga have converted to Christianity, they remain nominal believers who need revival, education, new jobs skills and strong, growing churches.

Prayer Points

Pray for a disciple making movement among the Madiga people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Madiga people to meet their spiritual and physical needs. Pray that the Madiga would learn to read so they can read the Bible for themselves.

Text Source:   Keith Carey