Lunia (Hindu traditions) in India

Introduction / History

The name Lunia comes from Lun or Nun meaning "moist," and is the name for sea salt. Hindu society classes Lunia people as the lowest of the four caste blocks.

Where Are they Located?

They live in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and a small number are in West Bengal where they are classed as a scheduled caste.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Lunia people farm, build roads, and railways, do various construction work, and dig wells. Many are farmers on small plots of land that they own. A select few work in government as political leaders, and in private occupations. Others are doctors or lawyers.
Lunias marry only among their sub-caste or subgroup. They accept both adult and child marriages. The bridegroom goes to the home of his bride, marries her, and they live in the home of his parents. Usually marriages are arranged by negotiation. They permit divorce and
re-marriage.
When the father dies, the oldest son becomes leader of the family. Sons and daughters inherit the property of their parents equally. The widowed mother receives some income if she does not marry again.

Opinions of women are considered, but the final decisions are made by men. Lunia women do housework, collect firewood, and participate in rituals, social and religious matters.

Lunia have a regional association in Kanpur and Delhi to promote their needs to the government. Crime is common where they live.

They speak in Hindi and read and write in Devanagari.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Lunia people are Hindus, worshiping many gods and goddesses. They also worship their ancestors and celebrate Hindu festivals. Varanasi is the main pilgrimage place for these Hindus. Brahmin priests perform birth, marriage and death rituals for them. The deceased are cremated, but children less than five years old are buried. Birth and death pollution periods take place for a set time.

What Are Their Needs?

Written, audio, and visual Scripture resources exist in the Hindi language. Lunia people need primarily audio and visual resources since their literacy level is below national average.
They need to understand that the gods they worship cannot give them eternal life, nor can they correct their sin problems. Lunia people are unreached.

Prayer Points

Pray that doors will open wide to the use of the JESUS Film in Hindi and that much fruit will abound including house churches.
Pray for a major mobilization of prayer worldwide for Lunia people.
Pray for entire clans and extended Lunia families to embrace the Savior and begin house churches.

Text Source:   Karen Hightower