Bania Khatri in Bangladesh
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Map Source:
People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Bania Khatri |
| Country: | Bangladesh |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,700 |
| World Population: | 234,700 |
| Primary Language: | Bengali |
| Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | South Asia Forward Caste - Bania |
| Affinity Bloc: | South Asian Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
High government posts and administrative positions are in the Khatri blood. For many centuries the Khatri class has been a Hindu military order who, as rulers, have been tasked with protecting Hindu Dharma. Dharma is considered to be natural moral law and includes things like caste law and religious obligations. Khatris are very powerful in India, but they don't hold the same clout in the nearby Muslim country, Bangladesh.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Though they are part of a religious minority in Muslim Bangladesh, the Khatri Bania have many useful skills.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Khatri Bania practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. Hinduism is a catch-all phrase for the local religions of South Asia, so it is very diverse. At the popular level, Hindus worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. They visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers, and incense to their gods in hopes of gaining protection and benefits. They do not have a personal or familial relationship with their gods like Christians or Jews. There are other Hindus who are much more philosophical, especially among the Brahmins. Almost all Hindus participate in yearly celebrations like Holi, the festival of colors and the start of spring / Diwali, the festival of lights / Navratri, the celebration of autumn / and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.
What Are Their Needs?
The Khatri Bania need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life he offers them in John 10:10.
Prayer Points
Pray for the privileged Khatri Bania people who do not know how much they need the Savior. While educated in many things, the truth of spiritual matters remain absent from their knowledge. Pray that Christian workers will penetrate the wall of rejection they face when presenting the gospel to these well-educated people.