Buna (Hindu traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian *
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Buna are a community found in India whose identity has been shaped by regional Hindu culture, family traditions, and long-established social structures. Like many smaller caste and community groups across India, the Buna have historically lived within tightly connected local societies where occupation, marriage customs, and religious practice helped define community life across generations.

Their history is not extensively documented in major historical sources, but the Buna have continued to preserve their cultural identity through family relationships, oral traditions, and participation in village and regional social life. Over time, economic change, urban migration, and modernization have influenced younger generations, though traditional customs and religious observances still remain important in many households.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Buna families live in rural or semi-urban communities where daily life revolves around work, family responsibilities, and local social networks. Agriculture, small business activity, labor, and regional trades often provide income. Meals commonly consist of rice, flatbreads, lentils, vegetables, and locally available foods depending on the region where they live.

Family bonds are central within Buna society. Respect for elders, maintaining family honor, and participation in weddings, festivals, and community gatherings remain important cultural values. Extended family support systems often help families through financial hardship, illness, or other difficulties.

In some areas, access to education, healthcare, and stable employment opportunities may be limited. Younger people increasingly move toward cities in search of work and modern opportunities, creating both economic possibilities and social pressures as traditional lifestyles encounter rapid cultural change.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Buna who follow Hindu traditions are generally influenced by the beliefs and practices of Hinduism, including devotion to various gods and goddesses, participation in festivals, temple worship, and household religious rituals. Religious identity is often closely connected to family heritage and community expectations.

Alongside formal Hindu practices, folk religion and traditional spiritual customs may also influence daily life. Beliefs involving blessings, curses, spiritual protection, ancestral customs, astrology, or local deities can remain deeply rooted within the culture. These practices often create a mixture of religious ideas that can obscure the biblical message of salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

Those who become followers of Christ may face social opposition or pressure from family and community members. New believers need strong biblical discipleship, fellowship, and encouragement to grow in their faith and stand firmly on Scripture.


What Are Their Needs?

The Buna need greater access to the gospel through faithful Christian witness, Scripture translation and distribution where needed, and mature discipleship rooted clearly in the Bible. Many have little understanding of the gospel message and need opportunities to encounter Christ through personal relationships and compassionate ministry.

Practical needs may include improved education, healthcare access, employment opportunities, and community development. Economic instability and social pressures can make daily life difficult for many families, especially in rural areas.

Believers among the Buna need encouragement and leadership training so local churches can grow strong and become effective witnesses to neighboring communities. Christian workers who serve with humility, patience, and love can help build trust and open doors for long-term ministry.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Buna people would hear the gospel clearly and respond in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ.
Pray that believers serving among the Buna would have wisdom, compassion, and boldness as they build relationships and share biblical truth.
Pray that the Buna would be adopted through the People Group Adoption program so that ongoing prayer, discipleship, and future gospel engagement would continue among them.
Pray that Christian believers among the Buna would grow in spiritual maturity, remain faithful under social pressure, and become strong witnesses within their own communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Buna (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

https://peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=42027
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism
https://www.ethnologue.com/
https://india.gov.in/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Buna (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Buna (Hindu traditions)
Alternate Names Bhanar; Buner; बुना (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 443,000
Population all Countries 541,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached Yes
Frontier Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 9
PeopleID3 16541
ROP3 Code 111726
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 20
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
West Bengal
293,000
Bihar
93,000
Jharkhand
33,000
Odisha
14,000
Tripura
4,000
Assam
1,300
Andaman and Nicobar
900
Meghalaya
600
Delhi
600
Chhattisgarh
600
Maharashtra
500
Uttar Pradesh
400
Nagaland
300
Arunachal Pradesh
200
Telangana
200
Districts Interactive map, listing and data download
Specialized Website South Asia Peoples
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 12  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 20
  West Bengal 293,000
  Bihar 93,000
  Jharkhand 33,000
  Odisha 14,000
  Tripura 4,000
  Assam 1,300
  Andaman and Nicobar 900
  Meghalaya 600
  Delhi 600
  Chhattisgarh 600
  Maharashtra 500
  Uttar Pradesh 400
  Nagaland 300
  Arunachal Pradesh 200
  Telangana 200
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Estimated Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Bengali (281,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code ben
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Hindi
53,000
Bhojpuri
39,000
Odia
30,000
Maithili
11,000
Angika
6,900
Magahi
100
Kok Borok
100
Assamese
50
Primary Language Bengali (281,000 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code ben
Ethnologue Language Familly Indo-European
Glottolog Language Family Indo-European
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 53,000
  Bhojpuri 39,000
  Odia 30,000
  Maithili 11,000
  Angika 6,900
  Magahi 100
  Kok Borok 100
  Assamese 50

Primary Language:  Bengali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1800-1980)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1801-1984)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1809-2022)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bengali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
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Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Bangla Version Bible General / Other
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Mobile App Android Bible App: Bengali Bible (Common Language Version) Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Android Bible App: Bengali Bible (বাঙালি বাইবেল) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bengali Mussolmani Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Kitabul Muqaddas (Bangla) General / Other
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Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Bengali Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter tools for gospel conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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.