The name of this community is derived from the word sona meaning gold, and the people who work with gold are called Sunar or Sonar. Traditionally they are goldsmiths, but with the availability of better educational facilities the Sonar have become inclined toward education.
Sonar goldsmiths hold an essential role in traditional Hindu weddings in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Dowries are given in the form of gold jewelry, and the bride literally wears her worldly possessions as products made by the Sonars. Even if a Sonar is not present at a wedding, their presence is felt by everyone who sees the bride decked out in his beautiful golden artwork.
There are Sonar communities in most South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka, though they are concentrated in India.
Though the Sonar community is associated with goldsmithing, they deal with other aspects of the jewelry business as well, whether they are in India or Sri Lanka. Some are diamond cutters while others design beautiful jewelry or idols. They are, as you would imagine, a wealthy community. Some are money lenders. The less fortunate among them sell books or stationery, or even auto parts.
The Sonars are Hindus who worship whichever god they believe will bring them good luck and prosperity.
Like the church in Laodicea mentioned in Rev 3:14-22, the Sonar community needs to understand the importance of spiritual riches.
Pray for families of Sonar believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches.
Pray for a chain reaction of Sonar families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others.
Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Sonar society as all believers learn to love others.
Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Sonar people like yeast changes dough.
Scripture Prayers for the Sonar (Hindu traditions) in Sri Lanka.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18150/CE
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18150/IN
https://peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/sonar/
http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/Sonar-Goldsmiths/
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
People Name General | Sonar (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Sonar (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | suh-NAR |
Alternate Names | Agsali; Aksali; Ashraf; Ausala; Chaudhari; Gorkha; Hemkar; Jangar; Jargar; Kamsala; Kapila; Karai; Khakhar; Khatri; Konkar; Korai; Maipotra; Mair; Nepali; Niaria; Patni; Pattar; Potdar; Sanur; Saraf; Sarat; Sawrnakar; Sharif; Sheriff; Soanri Bania; Sonagara; Sonar; Sonari Bania; Soni; Soni Hahajan; Sonkar; Sonnari; Sunar; Suni; Sunia; Suniar; Suniyara; Sunnari; Suvarnakar; Suvarnkar; Swarankar; Swarnakar; Tank; Verma; Zagar; Zargar; सोनार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 6,400 |
Population all Countries | 8,457,000 |
Total Countries | 5 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 18150 |
ROP3 Code | 113659 |
Country | Sri Lanka | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||
Total States on file | 7 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Sri Lanka |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 7 |
Central 4,100 | |
Sabaragamuwa 1,100 | |
Eastern 600 | |
Uva 300 | |
Western 100 | |
Northern 90 | |
Southern 70 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
1.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Sri Lanka census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Tamil | |||
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Tamil |
Language Code | tam Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Hindi | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Steve Evans - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |