The Vania people are also called Bania or Mahajan. The word Vania is derived from 'Vaniji', which means 'trader' in Sanskrit. The Vania community has gotras (clans) such as Agarwal, Dasora, Dishawal, Kapol, Nagori, Vagada, Modh and Nagar. Many of these names are based on the names of the place they are from. The Agrawal, though they are settled mainly in North Gujarat, take their name from Agar Town. The Jharola live in eastern Gujarat and come from Jalor of Rajashthan and Maharashtra. The titles used by the Bania are Shah, Shroff, Parikkh, Chokshi, Seth and Gandhi.
The vast majority of these Sindhi speaking Hindus are in India, but some have spilled over into Pakistan.
Most of the groups of Bania are split into Visha meaning twenty and Dasha or ten. These subdivisions are further divided into Ekda and Bagda. The Bagda mostly live in villages, while Ekda live in villages and towns. They have an organization called the Mandal to look after the temples and the community's property.
The Bania community excels in trade, commerce and various business ventures. They own and manage a range of enterprises, from small shops to large corporations. Their business acumen has earned them respect and economic stability within the broader Pakistani society. Floor painting and folk songs represent the Vania's art and culture. The naming of the newborn ritual is performed by a Jangam priest by putting a thread around the infant's neck.
Education holds significant importance for the Bania community. Many pursue higher education and professional degrees, contributing to their success in business and commerce. They emphasize the importance of education for both boys and girls.
The Bania are Hindu by religion. They are Vaishnavite and devotees of Shrinathji. A section of them are from the Jain community. The Vania maintain intercommunity linkages with the Brahmin, Valand, Soni and other communities through trade and service. The Vania in the state of Maharashtra are mostly followers of the Lingayat religion.
The Bania community faces challenges related to religious minority status in Pakistan. They often encounter social and political marginalization and must navigate issues of religious freedom and security.
Being materially wealthy leave the Bania people in a good economic position; however, they usually don t find seek and find true spirituality.
Pray for the protection and safety of the Bania community in Pakistan.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to break through to the hearts and minds of Bania people in Pakistan.
Pray for the Lord to make a way through Bania family leaders in Pakistan.
Pray for Bania disciples who will make more disciples of Christ in Pakistan.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania unspecified in Pakistan.
India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar, Copyrighted Used with permission
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bania |
People Name in Country | Bania unspecified |
Pronunciation |
BAHN-yah
|
Alternate Names | Aggarwal; Agrawal; Arayia Vaisya; Arya Vaisya; Arya Vysya; Balija; Bandekara; Banikya; Baniya; Baniyan; Baqal; Bhatia; Chetti; Chettiar; Gomatulu; Gujarati Vania; Gupta; Jain; Komati; Komti; Komuti; Kongu; Kshatriya; Kumti; Kumuti; Lalaji; Mahajan; Mahajan Vania; Marwadi; Mathura; Padayachi; Rajput; Sahukar; Sarak; Shetti; Shetty; Vaishya; Vaisiyal Chettiar; Vaisya; Vani; Vani Bania; Vania; Vysy; Vysya; बनिया |
Population this Country | 30,000 |
Population all Countries | 19,607,000 |
Total Countries | 6 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 16318 |
ROP3 Code | 111452 |
ROP25 Code | 300836 |
ROP25 Name | Bania |
Country | Pakistan | |||
Region | Asia, South | |||
Continent | Asia | |||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||
National Bible Society | Website | |||
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||
Total States on file | 3 | |||
Largest States |
|
Country | Pakistan |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 7 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 3 |
Sindh 36,000 | |
Punjab 2,200 | |
Balochistan 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 Pakistan census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Sindhi (26,000 speakers) | |||||||||
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||
Total Languages | 8 | |||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Sindhi (26,000 speakers) |
Language Code | snd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 8 |
Secondary Languages | |
Dhatki 6,400 | |
Saraiki 2,000 | |
Marwari (Pakistan) 1,800 | |
Marwari (India) 1,400 | |
Kacchi 1,200 | |
Punjabi, Western 500 | |
Urdu 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Sindhi |
Primary Language: Sindhi
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1825-1981) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1890-1992) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1954) |
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 |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |