The Pagadai are a scheduled caste living in Tamil Nadu. They speak Telugu and Tamil and read and write in Tamil.
The Pagadai work as sweepers in the towns and as agricultural laborers in the rural regions. They have a low literacy level, so the gospel will need to be given in oral form in addition to written form. They use indigenous and traditional medicines.
The Pagadai prefer cross-cousin marriages. They are endogamous, which means they prefer marriages within their community. Women help with financial matters.
They are not vegetarian. They eat beef and pork. Rice is their staple food.
The Pagadai 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.
These people need to realize that they cannot please God without being empowered by the Holy Spirit. They cannot have the Holy Spirit without Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Pagadai people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for a movement of the Holy Spirit to heal and strengthen Pagadai communities.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Pagadai people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Lord leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.
Resources
Singh, K. S., ed. "India's Communities A-Z", Oxford University Press, USA 1999
Scripture Prayers for the Pagadai in India.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Pagadai |
People Name in Country | Pagadai |
Alternate Names | Arundhatiyar; Chakkiliyan; Chakkiliyan Arundhatiyar Matangi; Pagadadi; Paigarapu; Poigarp; पगड़ाई |
Population this Country | 9,800 |
Population all Countries | 9,800 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 4 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 17809 |
ROP3 Code | 113282 |
ROP25 Code | 306412 |
ROP25 Name | Pagadai |
Country | India | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||||||
Total States on file | 5 | ||||||
Largest States |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | ||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 5 |
Tamil Nadu 9,000 | |
Kerala 600 | |
Odisha 100 | |
Puducherry 90 | |
Telangana 40 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
100.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Tamil (4,700 speakers) | |||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil (4,700 speakers) |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Telugu 3,500 | |
People Groups | Speaking Tamil |
Primary Language: Tamil
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1714-1956) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1715-1998) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1727-2024) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |