South Asia People Groups

Bania

It is said "If you give a Bania a handful of sand, he can turn it into gold." Banias have a reputation in India as being "money-minded."

Much of the typical Bania's life revolves around the idea that with money comes peace of mind and security. To call someone a "Bania" with a certain amount of disdain can be a serious insult. It implies that a person is stingy or tight-fisted.

The majority of Banias are Hindus, with a sizeable percentage of them following the Jain religion. For Banias, God is seen as impersonal and even unknowable. The main deities that Banias worship are Laxmi (the goddess of wealth, who is said to be the mother of Banias) and Ganesh (the Hindu god of good luck, wisdom and prosperity). Banias tend to give freedom to each other and they can usually worship any god they choose. They are permitted to worship many gods, the one true God, or even no god at all. Most worship traditional Hindu gods, but they are allowed to follow Buddha and even Jesus! Culturally, the most important thing for them is just being Bania.

There are over 22 million Banias in South Asia, with the majority of them being in India. No known Christian churches made up of Bania believers exist.




"I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord. They will be My people, and I will be their God because they will return to Me with all their heart."
Jeremiah 24:7 (HCS)