Chetti Bania in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Chetti or Chettiar are part of the large business caste of Bania in India. The word Chetti means trader or merchant. The Chetti are some of the most successful businesspersons in south India. They founded many of the leading banks of India. They are also involved in finance, real estate, entertainment, textiles, timber and grains. The Chetti own tea and coffee plantations, which are farmed by other castes. With the decline of the British Empire after WW2, many of the Chetti landholdings, businesses and banks were nationalized by the new countries. Many Chetti had to return to India and start a new life.

Chetti families encourage their sons to get MBAs and other advanced degrees. Most Chetti women do not work in business but take care of the home.

The primary language of the Chetti is Tamil. As educated Indians they also speak English, which allows them to do business throughout the world.


Where Are they Located?

Most Chetti live in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Smaller groups live throughout India and in the island nation of Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some of the most wealthy and successful people in south India are Bania Chetti. They own large businesses, banks and commercial enterprises. Some work for salaries in private companies and government.

The Chetti marry within their Bania caste often to families with the same level of income and property. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Sons inherit property from their fathers. Weddings are held at mansions owned by other Chetti. Brahmin priests officiate at important family occasions like births, weddings and funerals.

Outlookindia.com describes Chetti are secretive, practical, traditional land and business owners. Chettiar women rarely join family businesses but focus on the families' cultural and philanthropic initiatives. The Chetti support Hindu scholarship and temples as well as traditional Tamil art and literature.

As Hindus the Chetti do not eat beef. Sons are frequently named after their grandfathers and daughters after their grandmothers.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bania Chetti practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Chetti visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.



The main yearly holidays of the Chetti people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bania Chetti need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They need to see that money, possessions and Hinduism will not bring the peace of mind and joy that they are seeking. They come to realize that they are sinners in need of the Savior.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord leads south Indian Christians to befriend the Chetti and introduce them to the Lord Jesus.
Pray that God will give them a distain for the Hindu gods and a desire for the Biblical Triune God and His Word.
Pray that God leads the Chetti to Christian literature and websites to learn about the Bible and the Lord Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Chetti in India.


References

joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19695/CE
outlookindia.com/magazine/story/chettiar-band-avm-to-fm/282336


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bania Chetti
People Name in Country Bania Chetti
Natural Name Chetti Bania
Pronunciation CHEH-tee BAHN-yah
Alternate Names Arayia; Arayia Vaisya; Ayira Vysyar; Baqal; Chetti; Chettiar; Komati; Sahukar; Vaisya; Vani; Vania; बनिया, चेट्टी
Population this Country 867,000
Population all Countries 874,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 17
People ID 19695
ROP3 Code 115147
ROP25 Code 300836
ROP25 Name Bania
Country India
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States on file 9
Largest States
Tamil Nadu
460,000
Karnataka
126,000
Maharashtra
97,000
Andhra Pradesh
84,000
Kerala
76,000
Telangana
16,000
Goa
6,000
Puducherry
2,500
Gujarat
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 11  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Total States 9
  Tamil Nadu 460,000
  Karnataka 126,000
  Maharashtra 97,000
  Andhra Pradesh 84,000
  Kerala 76,000
  Telangana 16,000
  Goa 6,000
  Puducherry 2,500
  Gujarat 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
89.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
11.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil (431,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
Telugu
134,000
Kannada
124,000
Malayalam
21,000
Marathi
11,000
Konkani
6,200
Chetti, Moundadan
1,500
Konkani, Goan
1,400
Tulu
1,300
Primary Language Tamil (431,000 speakers)
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 9
Secondary Languages
  Telugu 134,000
  Kannada 124,000
  Malayalam 21,000
  Marathi 11,000
  Konkani 6,200
  Chetti, Moundadan 1,500
  Konkani, Goan 1,400
  Tulu 1,300
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2021)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Tamil 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
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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