Sonar (Hindu traditions) in Nepal


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

Introduction / History

The name of the 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 towards education.
The Hindus among them are mainly in India, but smaller numbers live in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They claim to have social status close to that of the Brahmins.
They allow for divorce and remarriage.


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?

A Sonar follower of Christ may lose his place in society and be ostracized. This is an important issue for high caste individuals. They need a group of people who are willing to embrace the only savior together.


Prayer Points

There are few if any Christian believers among the Sonar but pray for the ones that will soon be a part of this community.
Pray they be well instructed in the faith and will grow in maturity and in numbers.
Pray for the Sonar community to be humble enough to acknowledge their need for forgiveness of sin, and that they understand the provision for forgiveness that God has provided.


Scripture Prayers for the Sonar (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.


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 76,000
Population all Countries 8,443,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 2  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 18150
ROP3 Code 113659
ROP25 Code 307633
ROP25 Name Sonar
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 14
Largest States
Narayani
29,000
Janakpur
29,000
Sagarmatha
6,300
Kosi
4,300
Lumbini
1,900
Gandaki
1,400
Bheri
1,200
Mechi
1,200
Bagmati
1,000
Mahakali
400
Seti
400
Karnali
200
Rapti
200
Dhaulagiri
50
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 14
  Narayani 29,000
  Janakpur 29,000
  Sagarmatha 6,300
  Kosi 4,300
  Lumbini 1,900
  Gandaki 1,400
  Bheri 1,200
  Mechi 1,200
  Bagmati 1,000
  Mahakali 400
  Seti 400
  Karnali 200
  Rapti 200
  Dhaulagiri 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.12 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.12 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.76 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Maithili (41,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
17,000
Hindi
2,000
Nepali
1,800
Awadhi
1,700
Marwari
1,000
Magahi
300
Angika
200
Kumaoni
200
Dotyali
100
Bantawa
40
Rangpuri
30
Bengali
30
Primary Language Maithili (41,000 speakers)
Language Code mai   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 13
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 17,000
  Hindi 2,000
  Nepali 1,800
  Awadhi 1,700
  Marwari 1,000
  Magahi 300
  Angika 200
  Kumaoni 200
  Dotyali 100
  Bantawa 40
  Rangpuri 30
  Bengali 30
People Groups Speaking Maithili

Primary Language:  Maithili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2010)
Bible-Complete No
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 Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio 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 Maithili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime 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 Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Maithili YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Maithili Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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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