Mair Sonar in India

The Mair Sonar have only been reported 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

According to Hindu legend the first Sonar was used by the goddess Devi to destroy a powerful demon who was made of gold. The Sonar convinced that vain demon that he would look better if he were polished, which meant he had to be melted down. When this happened and the demon was destroyed, Devi rewarded the Sonar by giving him the head of this demon.

There are subgroups of the Sonars based on location. This includes the Hindi speaking Mair Sonars in Uttar Pradesh. They are part of the Vaishya caste groupings, the third in rank of the four. Vaishyas may not have the status of the higher two caste groupings, but they often have more wealth, since they are businessmen and merchants.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Known for their work with gold and silver, Mair Sonars produce elaborate jewelry and ornaments, using precious and semi-precious stones. Some engrave deities on plates of gold and silver as well as pendants. Others cut and polish diamonds. Typically, Mair Sonars own their own jewelry stores, while others are paid for skilled designs in delicate filigree.

Being a skilled goldsmith brings status in Hindu India. In a Hindu wedding, the bride literally wears her worldly possessions as products made by the Sonars. Even if a Mair Sonar is not present at a wedding, their presence is felt by everyone who sees the bride decked out in a Mair Sonar's beautiful golden artwork. Mair Sonars have contact with just about every Hindu community. For that reason, if members of the Mair Sonar community became believers, they could potentially influence all Hindu people groups.

Today, their role is becoming more diverse. Some are skilled artisans who develop beautiful jewelry and artwork. Others are landowners, pawnbrokers, or money lenders. They are becoming more educated as a community which is opening doors for more opportunities.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Mair Sonars are Hindus who worship the regular Hindu gods, especially Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. They also have family, clan and regional gods that they worship. Along with other Hindu communities, the Sonars celebrate Holi, Dussehra, Janamashtami, Navrati, and Diwali.


What Are Their Needs?

Mair Sonars need humility and the desire to serve the God who created all gold, and everything else they see. They need to taste and see that the Lord is good … and great!


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Mair Sonar families and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a Disciple Making Movement among Sonar peoples.
Pray that soon many members of the Sonar communities will have faith that is more precious and durable than gold.


Scripture Prayers for the Sonar Mair in India.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunar


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Sonar Mair
People Name in Country Sonar Mair
Natural Name Mair Sonar
Alternate Names Hemkar; Konkar; Mehr Sonar; Merhbansi Sonar; Potdar; Sanur; Saraf; Soni; Sunar; Suniar; Suvarnakar; सोनार मेर
Population this Country 88,000
Population all Countries 88,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 21253
ROP3 Code 118076
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 9
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
65,000
Bihar
7,300
Himachal Pradesh
6,600
Uttarakhand
3,400
Chhattisgarh
2,500
Madhya Pradesh
1,600
Rajasthan
800
Chandigarh
500
Jharkhand
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 9
  Uttar Pradesh 65,000
  Bihar 7,300
  Himachal Pradesh 6,600
  Uttarakhand 3,400
  Chhattisgarh 2,500
  Madhya Pradesh 1,600
  Rajasthan 800
  Chandigarh 500
  Jharkhand 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 (65,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
Bhojpuri
2,600
Kangri
2,100
Braj Bhasha
1,900
Garhwali
1,700
Chhattisgarhi
1,500
Punjabi, Eastern
800
Mandeali
700
Kanauji
600
Awadhi
300
Pahari, Mahasu
200
Maithili
200
Wagdi
100
Magahi
90
Bengali
30
Primary Language Hindi (65,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 15
Secondary Languages
  Bhojpuri 2,600
  Kangri 2,100
  Braj Bhasha 1,900
  Garhwali 1,700
  Chhattisgarhi 1,500
  Punjabi, Eastern 800
  Mandeali 700
  Kanauji 600
  Awadhi 300
  Pahari, Mahasu 200
  Maithili 200
  Wagdi 100
  Magahi 90
  Bengali 30
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
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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 Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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