Bania (Muslim traditions) in Afghanistan

The Bania (Muslim traditions) have only been reported in Afghanistan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit. The Bania community has gotras or clans. Many of their clan names are based on the names of the place they are from. Though most Banias are in India, there are a fair number of them in other nearby countries including Afghanistan. Those in Afghanistan are Muslim, which is unusual for this people group with Hindu roots.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Money lending, business, trade, jewelry-making and agriculture are the traditional occupations of the Bania. Floor painting and folk songs represent the Vania's art and culture. Social interactions and personal relationships among the Banias revolve around extended families and caste connections. This is complicated by the fact the Banias in Afghanistan are Muslim, which separates them from the Hindu Banias.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Banias are Hindu by religion, but those in Afghanistan are Sunni Muslims. At one time in their history, they were converted to Islam by Muslim saints.


What Are Their Needs?

The Banias in Afghanistan need a gospel witness. This might have to come from God himself through dreams and visions. Some can access gospel materials on their cell phones.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to pave the way for the gospel to move among the Banias in Afghanistan.
Pray for Bania community leaders to open the door to allowing Jesus Christ to bless their families.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Banias in Afghanistan.
Pray for them to have hearts that long for true spiritual nourishment that can only come from Jesus Christ.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania (Muslim traditions) in Afghanistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Bania (Muslim traditions)
People Name in Country Bania (Muslim traditions)
Pronunciation BAHN-yah
Alternate Names बनिया (मुस्लिम ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 7,000
Population all Countries 7,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19423
ROP3 Code 115168
ROP25 Code 300836
ROP25 Name Bania
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 10  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Afghanistan
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 10  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
0.23 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
95.00 %
Non-Religious
2.77 %
Other / Small
2.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Urdu (7,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Urdu (7,000 speakers)
Language Code urd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Urdu

Primary Language:  Urdu

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1747-1894)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1758-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1843-2022)
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
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Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Urdu 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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Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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