Naikda in India

Naikda in India

pronounced: NIKE-duh

The Naikda (or Nayaka) are made up of two divisions, and each division is made up of several clans. They are a Scheduled Tribe, at least in some of the states where they live. The state with the highest concentration of Naikdas is Karnataka. In the past, the Naikda collected the hide of dead animals and some follow the old occupation even today. Farming is the major vocation of the community at present, and some are engaged as wood cutters and laborers. They are Hindus.

Ministry Obstacles

Many of the Naikda people live in Karnataka, "South India's most needy state". The rural areas of Karnataka are quite poor, and radical Hindus are trying to pass anti-conversion laws. There are many attacks each year against Christians.

Outreach Ideas

Please pray that Christians presently among the Naikda caste will grow in spiritual maturity and in numbers to the extent they will be able to carry the good news about Jesus to their entire people group. Pray for leaders to emerge who can effectively set forth a vision for accomplishing this.

Scripture Focus

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

Scripture Prayer

Pray for those who have been blessed among today’s people group to boldly and lovingly tell others of God’s abundant mercy.

Prayer Focus

Several hundred Naikda people have reported themselves as Christians to the census of India, which is a great encouragement. Please pray these Christians will not give way to social pressure and re-convert back to their old religion. Pray they will become firmly established as followers of Jesus Christ. Please pray this tribal group will not gain satisfaction from their current religion, but will increasingly hunger to know the creator God, who loves them and offers them an abundant life, both now and forevermore.