Vettuvan Gounder in India
Photo Source:
Anonymous
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Vettuvan Gounder |
| Country: | India |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 1,700 |
| World Population: | 1,700 |
| Primary Language: | Tamil |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Hindu - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Gounder is a title used for various smaller communities from the larger Vettuvan tribe. Gounder at one time meant "noble protector." An associated word to Vettuvan is Vettakar, meaning hunter. At one time they were hunters and gatherers, but they eventually became farmers.
Where Are they Located?
The Gounder Vettuvan people live in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They speak Tamil.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Gounder Vettuvan people today live as common farmers in southern India.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Gounder Vettuvan people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. 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 many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.
The main yearly holidays of the Gounder Vettuvan people are 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?
There are many Tamil speaking believers, even missionaries, who can go to the Gounder Vettuvan people with the life-changing gospel.
Prayer Points
Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Gounder Vettuvan people of India.
Pray for the Gounder Vettuvan people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Gounder Vettuvan people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Gounder Vettuvan disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Gounder Vettuvan communities.