Chetti Bania in Sri Lanka


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

The Chetti or Chettiar are part of the large business caste of Bania in India and Sri Lanka. The word Chetti means trader or merchant. The Chetti are some of the most successful businesspersons in Sri Lanka. They founded many of the leading banks of Sri Lanka They are also involved in finance, real estate, entertainment, textiles, timber and grains. The Chetti own tea and coffee plantations, which are farmed by other castes.

Chetti families encourage their sons to get MBAs and other advanced degrees. Most Chetti women do not work in business but take care of the home.

The primary language of the Chetti is Tamil. As educated Indians they also speak English, which allows them to do business throughout the world.


Where Are they Located?

Most Chetti live in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. Smaller groups live throughout India and in the island nation of Sri Lanka. Most Chetti live in the Western State of Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Some of the most wealthy and successful people in south Sri Lanka are Bania Chetti. They own large businesses, banks and commercial enterprises. Some work for salaries in private companies and government.

The Chetti marry within their Bania caste often to families with the same level of income and property. Families arrange marriages with the consent of the young people. Sons inherit property from their fathers. Weddings are held at mansions owned by other Chetti. Brahmin priests officiate at important family occasions like births, weddings and funerals.

Outlookindia.com describes Chetti are secretive, practical, traditional land and business owners. Chettiar women rarely join family businesses but focus on the families' cultural and philanthropic initiatives. The Chetti support Hindu scholarship and temples as well as traditional Tamil art and literature.

As Hindus the Chetti do not eat beef. Sons are frequently named after their grandfathers and daughters after their grandmothers.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bania Chetti practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. 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 Chetti 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 Chetti 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 Chetti of Sri Lanka need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They need to see that money, possessions and Hinduism will not bring the peace of mind and joy that they are seeking. They come to realize that they are sinners in need of the Savior.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord leads south Indian and Sri Lankan Christians to befriend the Chetti and introduce them to the Lord Jesus.
Pray that God will give them a distain for the Hindu gods and a desire for the Biblical Triune God and His Word.
Pray that God leads the Chetti to Christian literature and websites to learn about the Bible and the Lord Jesus.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Chetti in Sri Lanka.


References

joshuaproject.net/people_groups/19695/IN
outlookindia.com/magazine/story/chettiar-band-avm-to-fm/282336


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bania Chetti
People Name in Country Bania Chetti
Natural Name Chetti Bania
Pronunciation CHEH-tee BAHN-yah
Alternate Names Arayia; Arayia Vaisya; Ayira Vysyar; Baqal; Chetti; Chettiar; Komati; Sahukar; Vaisya; Vani; Vania; बनिया, चेट्टी
Population this Country 6,400
Population all Countries 834,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19695
ROP3 Code 115147
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 8
Largest States
Western
5,700
North Western
300
Central
200
Sabaragamuwa
70
Uva
60
Eastern
30
Southern
20
North Central
10
Country Sri Lanka
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 8
  Western 5,700
  North Western 300
  Central 200
  Sabaragamuwa 70
  Uva 60
  Eastern 30
  Southern 20
  North Central 10
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 Sri Lanka census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Telugu
Primary Language Tamil
Language Code tam   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Telugu
People Groups Speaking Tamil

Primary Language:  Tamil

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1714-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1715-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1727-2024)
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 General Ministry Resources General / Other
Audio Recordings Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
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 Tamil Jesus Film Project
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
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Comprehensive list of Tamil Resources General / Other
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
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
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 Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
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: Pastors Study Bible Tamil Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible App: Tamil Bible (தமிழ் பைபிள்) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Tamil Study Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Tamil Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Tamil YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Tamil Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Tamil Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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