Sonar (Hindu traditions) 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 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.


Where Are they Located?

There are Sonar communities in most South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, though they are concentrated in India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though the Sonar community is associated with goldsmithing, they deal with other aspects of the jewelry business as well, no matter what South Asian country they reside. Some are diamond cutters while others design beautiful jewelry or idols. As you would imagine, they are a wealthy community. Some are money lenders. The less fortunate among them sell books or stationery or auto parts.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sonars are Hindus who worship whichever god they believe will bring them good luck and prosperity. Some are probably more philosophical in their spiritual lives.


What Are Their Needs?

Like the church in Laodicea mentioned in Rev 3:14-22, the Sonar community needs to understand the importance of spiritual riches that only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

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 India.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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 8,308,000
Population all Countries 8,443,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 3  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 166
People ID 18150
ROP3 Code 113659
ROP25 Code 307633
ROP25 Name Sonar
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 34
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Maharashtra
1,327,000
Uttar Pradesh
1,161,000
Andhra Pradesh
765,000
Bihar
745,000
Madhya Pradesh
577,000
Telangana
481,000
Rajasthan
457,000
West Bengal
440,000
Tamil Nadu
368,000
Gujarat
368,000
Karnataka
287,000
Haryana
187,000
Chhattisgarh
109,000
Punjab
100,000
Delhi
94,000
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 34  (only 20 largest shown)
  Maharashtra 1,327,000
  Uttar Pradesh 1,161,000
  Andhra Pradesh 765,000
  Bihar 745,000
  Madhya Pradesh 577,000
  Telangana 481,000
  Rajasthan 457,000
  West Bengal 440,000
  Tamil Nadu 368,000
  Gujarat 368,000
  Karnataka 287,000
  Haryana 187,000
  Chhattisgarh 109,000
  Punjab 100,000
  Delhi 94,000
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.15 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.46 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.38 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (2,929,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 60
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Telugu
1,229,000
Marathi
892,000
Bengali
400,000
Gujarati
376,000
Tamil
343,000
Bhojpuri
327,000
Kannada
234,000
Marwari
171,000
Punjabi, Eastern
108,000
Konkani
102,000
Chhattisgarhi
72,000
Odia
67,000
Awadhi
65,000
Dhundari
46,000
Maithili
41,000
Primary Language Hindi (2,929,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 60
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Telugu 1,229,000
  Marathi 892,000
  Bengali 400,000
  Gujarati 376,000
  Tamil 343,000
  Bhojpuri 327,000
  Kannada 234,000
  Marwari 171,000
  Punjabi, Eastern 108,000
  Konkani 102,000
  Chhattisgarhi 72,000
  Odia 67,000
  Awadhi 65,000
  Dhundari 46,000
  Maithili 41,000
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
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 Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
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
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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 Steve Evans - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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