Oswal Bania in Nepal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

"Praise to Sachchika!" Niriksha, an Oswal seamstress, smiled with a dancing heart as she was handed another order for the appliqué style of wedding canopy her family made. All the orders for the special embroidery ensured her already successful business could expand into new shops. She would announce the news at the party tonight.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Oswal Bania community is made up of four to five million people. They are mostly found in Rajasthan, Punjab, and other nearby areas of northern India. Oswals are indispensable for the Indian economy, and tend to fare well in business. They are the wealthy and very influential in business, industry, and society. The Oswals are known for commemorating their festivals with celebration, color, and song.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although most Oswals follow Jain religious teachings, some are more influenced by Hinduism. According to Jain teaching, it is considered a sin to take a life. As a result, they are strict vegetarians. Their goddess, Sachchika, is often their family deity. The Oswals have no church, and there are no evangelistic outreaches among them; as far as we know there are no Oswal believers.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Oswal people to hear about Jesus through evangelistic Internet, radio, and literature efforts.
Pray that He will send missionaries to this unreached people group so the love of God an shine upon them.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Oswal in Nepal.


References

Some information from "The Scheduled Castes" K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

Additional Info
Bania profile for Children and Family Missions Activities
People Name General Bania Oswal
People Name in Country Bania Oswal
Natural Name Oswal Bania
Pronunciation
Alternate Names Marwadi; Oswal Jain Bania; बनिया, ओसवाल
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 502,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 19718
ROP3 Code 115171
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States on file 3
Largest States
Bagmati
600
Mechi
100
Gandaki
20
Country Nepal
Region Asia, South
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Total States 3
  Bagmati 600
  Mechi 100
  Gandaki 20
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
53.53 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
46.47 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest Nepal census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Marwari (400 speakers)
Language Code rwr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Hindi
200
Primary Language Marwari (400 speakers)
Language Code rwr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Hindi 200
People Groups Speaking Marwari

Primary Language:  Marwari

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1815-1867)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1820-1821)
Bible-Complete No
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 Story of Jesus audio 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 Marwari 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 Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2023  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.