Sonar (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan


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 name of this community is derived from the word sona meaning gold, and the people who work with gold are called Sunar or Sonar. Traditionally they are goldsmiths, but with the availability of better educational facilities the Sonar have become inclined toward education. Sonar goldsmiths hold an essential role in traditional Hindu weddings in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Dowries are given in the form of gold jewelry, and the bride literally wears her worldly possessions as products made by the Sonars. Even if a Sonar is not present at a wedding, their presence is felt by everyone who sees the bride decked out in his beautiful golden artwork.


Where Are they Located?

There are Sonar communities in most South Asian countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, though they are concentrated in India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Though the Sonar community is associated with goldsmithing, they deal with other aspects of the jewelry business as well, no matter what South Asian country they reside. Some are diamond cutters while others design beautiful jewelry or idols. As you would imagine, they are a wealthy community. Some are money lenders. The less fortunate among them sell books or stationery or auto parts.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sonars are Hindus who worship whichever god they believe will bring them good luck and prosperity. Some are probably more philosophical in their spiritual lives.


What Are Their Needs?

Like the church in Laodicea mentioned in Rev 3:14-22, the Sonar community needs to understand the importance of spiritual riches that only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray for families of Sonar believers loving and serving others to grow reproducing churches. Pray for a chain reaction of Sonar families reaching families that results in thousands of new believers who share their faith with others. Pray for grace and truth expanding into the entire Sonar society as all believers learn to love others. Pray that churches and believers will bless their entire people group in such a way that God's love will change the Sonar people like yeast changes dough.


Scripture Prayers for the Sonar (Hindu traditions) in Pakistan.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sonar (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Sonar (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation suh-NAR
Alternate Names Agsali; Aksali; Ashraf; Ausala; Chaudhari; Gorkha; Hemkar; Jangar; Jargar; Kamsala; Kapila; Karai; Khakhar; Khatri; Konkar; Korai; Maipotra; Mair; Nepali; Niaria; Patni; Pattar; Potdar; Sanur; Saraf; Sarat; Sawrnakar; Sharif; Sheriff; Soanri Bania; Sonagara; Sonar; Sonari Bania; Soni; Soni Hahajan; Sonkar; Sonnari; Sunar; Suni; Sunia; Suniar; Suniyara; Sunnari; Suvarnakar; Suvarnkar; Swarankar; Swarnakar; Tank; Verma; Zagar; Zargar; सोनार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 38,000
Population all Countries 9,592,000
Total Countries 5
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 18150
ROP3 Code 113659
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 4
Largest States
Sindh
33,000
Punjab
4,000
Balochistan
400
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa
30
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 4
  Sindh 33,000
  Punjab 4,000
  Balochistan 400
  Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 30
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
Dhatki
4,400
Saraiki
3,300
Marwari (Pakistan)
1,200
Punjabi, Western
900
Marwari (India)
800
Kacchi
700
Punjabi, Eastern
200
Primary Language Sindhi (26,000 speakers)
Language Code snd   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 8
Secondary Languages
  Dhatki 4,400
  Saraiki 3,300
  Marwari (Pakistan) 1,200
  Punjabi, Western 900
  Marwari (India) 800
  Kacchi 700
  Punjabi, Eastern 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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Sindhi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Sindhi YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Sindhi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Steve Evans - Flickr  Creative Commons 
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.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024