Barnawar Bania in India


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 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 77,000
Population all Countries 77,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 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
Bihar
34,000
Jharkhand
11,000
Uttar Pradesh
9,600
West Bengal
9,300
Assam
8,600
Delhi
3,000
Odisha
1,200
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 34,000
  Jharkhand 11,000
  Uttar Pradesh 9,600
  West Bengal 9,300
  Assam 8,600
  Delhi 3,000
  Odisha 1,200
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 (38,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
Bengali
18,000
Bhojpuri
5,900
Assamese
3,900
Odia
600
Magahi
400
Maithili
300
Chhattisgarhi
100
Primary Language Hindi (38,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Bengali 18,000
  Bhojpuri 5,900
  Assamese 3,900
  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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Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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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