CHRISTIAN TODAS OF THE NILGIRIS

This article explores the Todas, a pastoral tribe, one of the earliest tribes who live in the highest peaks (above 2100 meters) of the Nilgiris, Tamilnadu, South India. The author is a Toda Christian, and grew up in the Nilgiris, but did not know much about the culture, tradition, and religion of the Todas and how and when Christianity came to the Toda community and what impact it had on the culture and tradition of the Todas. Hence, the author was eager to research on Toda tribe. This article explores a brief history of the Todas; the Toda people; the coming of Christianity to the Todas; the motivating factor/s for the early converts to Christianity; and the impact of Christianity today on the culture of the Todas. This is an interesting article to know the complexity of the life of Toda people who appear simple. Christianity is richer when peoples of diverse cultures and languages come together to worship.