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People group profile · PG041624

The Mala Sale of India

The Mala Sale of India, numbering about 171,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a distinct sub‑group within the wider Mala community of South India—especially in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, parts of Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

They are an indigenous people in the Telugu people cluster of the South Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Folk Hinduism, and they primarily speak Telugu.

Pray for the Mala SalePrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Mala Sale people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3 Flash: Mala Sale

Fast facts

Country
India
Population
171,000
Affinity group
South Asian Peoples
People cluster
Telugu
Primary language
Telugu (tel)
Primary religion
Folk Hinduism
Strategic Progress Index
No Longer Unreached
Evangelical
2% or Greater but Less than 5%
GSEC
2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
Lostness priority
Minimally Reached People Group
Region
Southern Asia, Asia
Location
Andhra Pradesh

Where they live

Gospel status

The Mala Sale are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Mala Sale

  • Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
  • Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
  • Send out laborers from this people to the nations

Primary religion

Folk Hinduism · Hinduism

97% adherents

Primary language

Telugu · Dravidian family

100% speak Telugu

Gospel resources in Telugu

  • Bible available, published 2022
  • JESUS Film available
  • Radio programs available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories available

Films

Bibles

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Mala Sale

  1. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
  2. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
  3. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  4. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.

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