The name "Bania" is derived from Vaniji, which means "trader" in Sanskrit, an ancient South Asian language. The Rauniar are a sub-group of the Bania peoples who live in India and Nepal. Of the four major varnas (caste clusters of Hinduism), Banias are in the third one, the Vaishyas. They were usually traders of grain and spices throughout history.
Despite their high incomes, the Banias have only modest status in the Hindu caste pyramid. The Bania tend to resent the higher two varnas, the Brahmins and the Kshatriyas. Thus, Banias have often been leaders in caste reform movements.
Ironically, the Banias are often resented by others. They are known to charge excessive interest rates. A pre-literate farmer might take a loan from a Bania only to find that a high percentage of his harvest will be taken away as interest. Customers often must put up their land and farms for collateral in case they cannot pay back their loans.
Rauniar Bania children learn early to "never give; always bargain and make money." From an early age, children are drilled in math and detailed calculations with the end purpose of getting the upper hand in monetary transactions. Fathers pass business skills to their sons. Rauniar Bania parents strongly encourage their children, especially the boys, to obtain graduate degrees related to business.
Monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the norm among Bania groups.
They devote their spiritual lives to Hindu gods like Lakshmi. By contrast, those who follow Christ know that true spirituality is found in knowing the One, True God. The one who created us can direct our lives so that those around us can see the fruit of his holiness, love, and guidance. Unfortunately, few Raunair Banias have any contact with Christ's followers.
Rauniar Bania communities live throughout India, but they probably don’t have a single Christ follower among them. Do they lack gospel resources? Or do they lack the will to seek and find?
Pray that Christ's followers will reach out to them.
Pray that Raunair Hindus will know who Jesus really is.
Pray that they will understand that in him comes the true blessings in life such as peace, joy, humbleness, long suffering and love.
Scripture Prayers for the Bania Rauniar in Nepal.
Some information from “The Scheduled Castes” K. S. Singh, ed. Oxford University Press, USA (1994)
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bania Rauniar |
People Name in Country | Bania Rauniar |
Natural Name | Rauniar Bania |
Alternate Names | Bailkachnath; Nauniyar; Pachanaha; Purbia; Raunihar; Roniaur; Roniyar; बनिया, रऔनिअर |
Population this Country | 3,200 |
Population all Countries | 160,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 19721 |
ROP3 Code | 115174 |
ROP25 Code | 300836 |
ROP25 Name | Bania |
Country | Nepal | ||||||
Region | Asia, South | ||||||
Continent | Asia | ||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||||||
National Bible Society | Website | ||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||||||
Total States on file | 4 | ||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 4 |
Narayani 1,500 | |
Lumbini 800 | |
Janakpur 600 | |
Sagarmatha 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 Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Bhojpuri (1,600 speakers) | |||
Language Code | bho Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 4 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Bhojpuri (1,600 speakers) |
Language Code | bho Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 4 |
Secondary Languages | |
Maithili 900 | |
Hindi 200 | |
Awadhi 80 | |
People Groups | Speaking Bhojpuri |
Primary Language: Bhojpuri
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1911-1982) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1998-2007) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |