Their name means "one who occupies the soil." For many generations the Bais have been both powerful and wealthy. Most live in India, but a smaller number is in Bangladesh.
In the world's eyes the Bais find themselves much admired, but often resented. They are a proud people known for their wealth and entrepreneurism. In the spiritual realm, however, the Bais are poverty stricken.
As a wealthy community, the Bais Banias are usually not that spiritually minded. Some perform Hindu rituals to gain favor in the spiritual realm. Others are attracted to Hindu philosophy. Most are too grounded in the here and now to take much thought to their spiritual lives.
Perhaps one of the biggest obstacles keeping the Bais from knowing God is their standing in society. Like other people of high status, they find it difficult to admit their sins, surrender themselves to God, and receive his gift of salvation. Like the rich young ruler, many refuse to risk their status and wealth for spiritual purposes.
Pray for the Bais to be granted the humility necessary to accept Christ as their lord and savior.
Ask God to thrust forth workers to this people group who can communicate the gospel in a way the Bais can clearly understand.
Pray for Christian believers to boldly share their faith with the Bais.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania Bais in Bangladesh.
Some information from “The Scheduled Castes” K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bania Bais |
People Name in Country | Bania Bais |
Natural Name | Bais Bania |
Alternate Names | Bais; Baisaya; Baish; Baishaya; Bania; Bashhi; Maheshwari; Podar; Said; Sandri; Suri; Vyas; बनिया, बैस |
Population this Country | 1,300 |
Population all Countries | 156,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19691 |
ROP3 Code | 115143 |
ROP25 Code | 300836 |
ROP25 Name | Bania |
Country | Bangladesh | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 26 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 2 | |||
Largest States |
|
Country | Bangladesh |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 26 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 2 |
Dhaka 1,100 | |
Rajshahi 200 | |
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 Bangladesh census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Bengali (1,300 speakers) |
Language Code | ben Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Bengali (1,300 speakers) |
Language Code | ben Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Bengali |
Primary Language: Bengali
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1800-1980) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1801-1984) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1809-2022) |
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 |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
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. |