Barnawar Bania in India

The Barnawar Bania have only been reported 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 Barnawar are a subgroup of the large Bania business caste who live in north India. The word Bania comes from a Sanskrit word meaning "merchant." The Bania are a caste of merchants and traders involved in business and industry. Some Bania also own land, which is frequently farmed by other castes.

The Bania are generally well educated and encourage their children to get a college degree. The Bania work in both private industry and governmental jobs.

The Barnawar speak Hindi and Bengali as their main languages. As university graduates, they speak and write English. Speaking Hindi and English allows them to carry on business with the educated people of central and north India.


Where Are they Located?

Most Bania Barnawar live in the north Indian states of Bihar, Jharkand, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bania have been a business and merchant caste of India for hundreds of years. They have exchanged goods and owned businesses to sell goods. Many have become wealthy businesspersons while others own small shops in the cities and villages of north India. They sell groceries, household goods and other items necessary to the Indian population.

The Bania Barnawar marry within their group or with other Bania castes. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young couple. Important family occasions are officiated by Brahmin priests. Sons inherit property from their father. The eldest son becomes responsible for the well being of his family. Sons and daughters often work in the same business as their fathers. A caste council settle legal disputes and promotes their interests.

Some Bania are vegetarians while others eat meat except for beef. Their main foods are rice, wheat, vegetables, fruit and dairy products.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bania Barnawar practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They pay special reverence for Vishnu, the preserver god. 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 Barnawar 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 Barnawar 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 Barnawar need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. They need to see that money and success will not bring them the joy and peace of mind they are seeking. The Barnawar must come to see that they are sinners in need of the Savior.


Prayer Points

Pray that the veil of deception will be lifted from the eyes of the Barnawar and that they will see that the only true wealth is the spiritual riches gained through a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray that Christ's disciples will be called to work among them and share Christ in a culturally relevant way.
Pray for a disciple making movement to emerge among every Bania community.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Barnawar in India.


References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Bania
http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Barnawar


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bania Barnawar
People Name in Country Bania Barnawar
Natural Name Barnawar Bania
Alternate Names बनिया, बर्नवर
Population this Country 81,000
Population all Countries 81,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 19693
ROP3 Code 115145
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 7
Largest States
Bihar
36,000
Jharkhand
11,000
Uttar Pradesh
10,000
West Bengal
9,800
Assam
9,000
Delhi
3,200
Odisha
1,300
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 7
  Bihar 36,000
  Jharkhand 11,000
  Uttar Pradesh 10,000
  West Bengal 9,800
  Assam 9,000
  Delhi 3,200
  Odisha 1,300
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
100.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (40,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Bengali
19,000
Assamese
3,900
Bhojpuri
3,500
Odia
600
Magahi
400
Maithili
300
Chhattisgarhi
100
Primary Language Hindi (40,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Bengali 19,000
  Assamese 3,900
  Bhojpuri 3,500
  Odia 600
  Magahi 400
  Maithili 300
  Chhattisgarhi 100
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)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
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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
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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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
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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