The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit. The Vania 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.
Money lending, business, trade, jewelry-making, and agriculture are the traditional occupations of the Vania. 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 these Banias are Muslim, which separates them from the Hindu Banias.
Most Vanias 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. PrayerPray for a Disciple Making Movement among the Banias in Afghanistan in the 2020s. Pray for them to have hearts that long for true spiritual nourishment that can only come from Jesus Christ. 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.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania (Muslim traditions) in Afghanistan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Bania profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
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 |
Country | Afghanistan | ||
Region | Asia, Central | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 9 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Afghanistan |
Region | Asia, Central |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 9 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a 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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |