Introduction / History
The Telugu word Kapu or Kaapu means protector. The Kapus were primarily a military-agrarian community which took up military service and participated in farming during peace time. They are also referred to by their caste title Naidu, which means leader.

Kapus were inhabitants of the Andhra region, people who migrated from the north, cleared forests for agriculture and built settlements. They are the descendants of the Kaampu tribe which migrated from Kampilya, Mithila and Ayodhya. These were ancient cities situated in the Gangetic Plains of northern India spread across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The migration seems to have occurred 2500 years ago, which coincides with the rise of the first Andhra Kingdom, Satavahanas. This migrant tribe initially settled along the banks of the Godavari River, cleared forests and built settlements and towns. Kapu subcastes eventually evolved based on occupation. They have several subcastes including the Vadugans.

Where are they located?
This Kapu subgroup lives in the southernmost parts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

What are their lives like?
Modern day Kapus have banded together to fight for their political rights in the caste system. They have also organized agricultural unions to protect their economic interests. A significant number of Kapus have today diversified into industry, arts and academia. However, substantial segments of the population are still farmers.

What are their beliefs?
The Vadugan Kapu people practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism at its root level is a generic term for the various religious practices of South Asia. At a popular level, where the Kapu peoples are, there is worship of specific gods whom they believe will provide them protection and favors. Their worship is more like a transaction than a relationship between the person and the supernatural.

What are their needs?
The Vadugan Kapus need to have the chance to flourish spiritually through a relationship with the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

Prayer Points
Pray for families of Vadugan Kapu believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of Vadugan Kapu families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Vadugan Kapu society as all believers learn to love others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Vadugan Kapu people like yeast changes dough.

References
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21152/IN
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19597/IN
http://www.kapusangam.com/history.php
https://scroll.in/article/803399/the-kapu-question-should-a-socially-powerful-but-economically-weak-group-get-reservations
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kapu_(caste)
https://www.vepachedu.org/manasanskriti/kapu.htm
https://familypedia.wikia.org/wiki/Kapu_(caste)