Bahna (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan
Photo Source:
Khalid Mansoori - Wikimedia
Creative Commons
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Bahna (Muslim traditions) |
| Country: | Pakistan |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 200,000 |
| World Population: | 200,000 |
| Primary Language: | Sindhi |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.04 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.04 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Muslim - other |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Bahna or Behana or Dhunia are a people who live in Pakistan s Sindh Province. They speak Sindhi. Their name comes a word for "seed." Their traditional occupation was separating the seeds from raw cotton. The Bahna believe they originally came from Persia or Afghanistan. With the coming of the modern technology, the Bahna have gone into different jobs like selling cotton fabric, agriculture, manufacturing and trade.
The Bahna were originally all Hindus. Some Bahna became Muslims during the time of the Delhi Sultanate and Moghul Empire. They left India and moved to Pakistan in 1947.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Bahna marry within their community often to their cousins. One spouse is the general rule while having more than one wife is legal. The sons inherit their father's property. Most Bahna girls receive little formal education while the boys pursue more schooling.
The Bahna are not vegetarians but as Muslims do not eat pork. Their main foods are rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables and fruit. Most Bahna live in villages with other castes.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Bahna people are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam. They attempt to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. They believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the Ramadan fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
What Are Their Needs?
The Muslim Bahna need to hear the good news about Isa or Jesus in a way they can understand. They need to see the love and grace of Christ lived out before them in practical ways. Teachers can help Bahna women and girls learn the basics of reading and writing. Workers can help the Bahna gain access to clean water and electricity.
Prayer Points
Pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully, drawing the Bahna people to Christ.
Pray for the tiny number of believers in Pakistan to be strengthened in the faith and led by God to share their faith with the Bahna people in Pakistan.
Pray for movements to Jesus to sweep through Bahna families, permeating the group from within.