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.
Most Bania Barnawar live in the north Indian states of Bihar, Jharkand, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
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.
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.
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.
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.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Bania
http://indpaedia.com/ind/index.php/Barnawar
Profile Source: David Kugel |
Bania profile for Children and Family Missions Activities |
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 |
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 |
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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 9,700 | |
Assam 8,800 | |
Delhi 3,100 | |
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 (41,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 8 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Hindi (41,000 speakers) |
Language Code | hin Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 8 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bengali 19,000 | |
Assamese 3,900 | |
Bhojpuri 2,500 | |
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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
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Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
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. |