South African Tamils

Rishi wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xkJnzD2Ki0

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

Rishi wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

Churi,

Were you not a member of Sulekha forum?

I remember your mentioning that you are an Indian from South Africa.

Are you now there or in the USA?

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:

She is from the hilly reagions of Zimby (rite?) and could not drive a stick shift uphill.. So decided to move to the US - that too, midwest. Now she just pushes the car and jump inside - and the car goes by itself for 10 miles.

Hellsangel wrote:

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:

She is from the hilly reagions of Zimby (rite?) and could not drive a stick shift uphill.. So decided to move to the US - that too, midwest. Now she just pushes the car and jump inside - and the car goes by itself for 10 miles.

Your Holiness, I thought the Midwest regions were plains. Are you saying it is all downhill?

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

That is what happens when you convert.


Hinduism gave an identity to Indians who were under oppression in places like Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana and Trinidad. They were able to surivive because they knew they came from a culturally rich background. That kept them going.

churi. wrote:

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

That is what happens when you convert.


Hinduism gave an identity to Indians who were under oppression in places like Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana and Trinidad. They were able to surivive because they knew they came from a culturally rich background. That kept them going.

Tamils were especially quick to discard both their language and religion. I don't think they were really tied to their Hindu identity for too long. The other groups also faced the same conversion pressures that Tamils did, but most did not readily succumb to it. I truly do not know of one SA Indian of my generation, who can actually speak Tamil.

(Ps. Hello again to all my acquaintances of old on CH (GC, Uppili, Halcy, Kris etc. Rishi don't recall your handle). I try to drop in here once in a while, but it isn't too often. Someone should start a Facebook group where the CH stalwarts can congregate - surely after all these years we should be on a first name basis with each other? PPs. Uppili - to the best of my knowledge, I never lived in the midwest.

Marathadi-Saamiyaar wrote:

churi. wrote:

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

That is what happens when you convert.


Hinduism gave an identity to Indians who were under oppression in places like Africa, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana and Trinidad. They were able to surivive because they knew they came from a culturally rich background. That kept them going.

Tamils were especially quick to discard both their language and religion. I don't think they were really tied to their Hindu identity for too long. The other groups also faced the same conversion pressures that Tamils did, but most did not readily succumb to it. I truly do not know of one SA Indian of my generation, who can actually speak Tamil.

(Ps. Hello again to all my acquaintances of old on CH (GC, Uppili, Halcy, Kris etc. Rishi don't recall your handle). I try to drop in here once in a while, but it isn't too often. Someone should start a Facebook group where the CH stalwarts can congregate - surely after all these years we should be on a first name basis with each other? PPs. Uppili - to the best of my knowledge, I never lived in the midwest.

Not even midwest in Zimby (I dont even have all the old emails anymore to track your ip).

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

Kayalvizhi wrote:

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

Christian Tamils in TN hold their worship in Tamil execept in some churches in major cities which cater to other language speakers also.

When people like to me want to worship in Tamil in major temples like chidamparam temple, there is too much opposition.

bw wrote:

Kayalvizhi wrote:

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

Christian Tamils in TN hold their worship in Tamil execept in some churches in major cities which cater to other language speakers also.

When people like to me want to worship in Tamil in major temples like chidamparam temple, there is too much opposition.

what's stopping you from worshipping in tamil? you can talk to your god in any language you please, can't you? why do you need some middleman chanting stuff?

Kris wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

>>>Hi Churi. How have you been? Are you in South Africa or in the US now?

churi. wrote:

Kris wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

>>>Hi Churi. How have you been? Are you in South Africa or in the US now?

Hi Kris, been in the US about a decade now, which is much too long for my liking:)

Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:

churi. wrote:

Kris wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

>>>Hi Churi. How have you been? Are you in South Africa or in the US now?

Hi Kris, been in the US about a decade now, which is much too long for my liking:)

where would you rather be?

Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:

churi. wrote:

Kris wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

>>>Hi Churi. How have you been? Are you in South Africa or in the US now?

Hi Kris, been in the US about a decade now, which is much too long for my liking:)

where would you rather be?

churi. wrote:

Kris wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

>>>Hi Churi. How have you been? Are you in South Africa or in the US now?

Hi Kris, been in the US about a decade now, which is much too long for my liking:) I hope you're well. Am impressed by how long you guys have managed to stick around

Kris wrote:

bw wrote:

Kayalvizhi wrote:

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

Christian Tamils in TN hold their worship in Tamil execept in some churches in major cities which cater to other language speakers also.

When people like to me want to worship in Tamil in major temples like chidamparam temple, there is too much opposition.

what's stopping you from worshipping in tamil? you can talk to your god in any language you please, can't you? why do you need some middleman chanting stuff?

>>>> Now, now- to each, his own. Sure some people go to a temple or a church to pray, others go to make sure the place is safe from Hindians. if you haven't heard, this is one of the most pressing problems at temples these days.

churi. wrote:

Hi Kris, been in the US about a decade now, which is much too long for my liking:) I hope you're well. Am impressed by how long you guys have managed to stick around

churi. wrote:

Jeremiah Mburuburu wrote:

churi. wrote:

Kris wrote:

churi. wrote:Those kids do not look like SA Tamils. They appear to be Indian nationals to me.

If they are indeed SA Indians, then they are extreme outliers. The majority of Indian-origin folk in SA identify as "Tamil-speaking", but none of them actually can speak the language. Certainly not with any degree of fluency demonstrated in the video. They do not cling to their linguistic heritage to the degree Hindi/Bhojpuri/Gujarati folk in SA do. In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

>>>Hi Churi. How have you been? Are you in South Africa or in the US now?

Hi Kris, been in the US about a decade now, which is much too long for my liking:)

where would you rather be?

In a country where kids are not gunned down in their classrooms.

Rishi wrote:

Kris wrote:

bw wrote:

Kayalvizhi wrote:

Rishi wrote: In fact, most of the SA Indian Christians are of Tamil background - they have English names, zero ability to speak Tamil, and they are the group that tends to be most detached from Indian culture vs other SA Indians.

Christian Tamils in TN hold their worship in Tamil execept in some churches in major cities which cater to other language speakers also.

When people like to me want to worship in Tamil in major temples like chidamparam temple, there is too much opposition.

what's stopping you from worshipping in tamil? you can talk to your god in any language you please, can't you? why do you need some middleman chanting stuff?

>>>> Now, now- to each, his own. Sure some people go to a temple or a church to pray, others go to make sure the place is safe from Hindians. if you haven't heard, this is one of the most pressing problems at temples these days.

I fully support KV's position on worshipping in Tamil.

In fact, it will prevent from many Tamils getting converted to Christianity.

How many of the TN Brahmin priests even understand what they are chanting in Sanskrit? They just do it by rote.

Kris wrote:
>>>> These would be issues if there were a concept of group prayers like services in churches. Have you heard of anyone going to a temple and being forced to pray in Sanskrit? Like BW says, who is stopping you from praying in whatever language you want in a temple? The idea that Hindus are converting to Christianity because of this is absurd. There are several examples of religious works in Tamil and several saints (maraimalai adigal, azhvars come to mind here). BTW, priests do learn Sanskrit and if there a few bad apples, you can't cast aspersions on the whole lot. In any event, I find this issue to be academic, since worship in Hinduism is a personal thing.