Labana (Sikh traditions) in India

The Labana (Sikh traditions) have only been reported in India
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Subgroups: 1

Subgroup Name Population
Gujar 5,900

Introduction / History

Lobanas (or Labana) are a tribe which lives all over the nation of India. It appears to be possibly appropriate to regard the Lobanas as a sub-division of the large Banjara tribe, forming one of their principal sub-castes. Labanas have their own language called Lubanki which is only spoken by Labanas outside the Punjab State of India. Many believe that Lobanas are of Turkish origin and that is why they are also called Banjaras. During travel they had to set up business ventures on their way. The term Lobana appears to have been derived from LUN (salt) and the BANA (trade). The Lobanas were the salt-carrying and salt-trading community. Locally, they were known by different names in parts of the Punjab. There are a couple other views of their origin. In Ludhiana and Jhang Districts, the Labanas claimed to be the descendants of Chauhan Rajputs. A good number of them traced their origin from Gaur Brahmins who came to the Punjab from Ranthambore in Aurangzeb's reign.


What Are Their Lives Like?

As time went on, the Labana Sikhs capitalized on their trading skills and their upward mobility. Now there are wealthy land-owning Labana Sikhs. You can see them throughout India, though most reside in Punjab. Some have moved to Western countries, where they manage businesses.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lobana people practice different religions. Most Lobana are Sikhs. Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, genderless and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. A Sikh is not permitted to use alcohol, tobacco or any illegal drugs. One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair.


What Are Their Needs?

The Lobana need to understand that Jesus is not just another guru. He is the Son of God who can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to give the Lobana a hunger for the Word of God and a desire to investigate the claims of Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Labana people this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Sikh Labana people.


Scripture Prayers for the Labana (Sikh traditions) in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Labana (Sikh traditions)
People Name in Country Labana (Sikh traditions)
Alternate Names Labane; Labhana; Lavana; Lobana; लबाना (सिख ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 396,000
Population all Countries 396,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 8
People ID 18128
ROP3 Code 113634
ROP25 Code 304514
ROP25 Name Labana
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 22
Largest States
(only 15 largest shown)
Punjab
315,000
Haryana
18,000
Jammu and Kashmir
13,000
Rajasthan
12,000
Uttar Pradesh
11,000
Delhi
9,700
Uttarakhand
4,600
Maharashtra
4,400
Madhya Pradesh
2,400
Chandigarh
1,500
Jharkhand
1,000
West Bengal
1,000
Himachal Pradesh
800
Chhattisgarh
500
Gujarat
500
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 22  (only 20 largest shown)
  Punjab 315,000
  Haryana 18,000
  Jammu and Kashmir 13,000
  Rajasthan 12,000
  Uttar Pradesh 11,000
  Delhi 9,700
  Uttarakhand 4,600
  Maharashtra 4,400
  Madhya Pradesh 2,400
  Chandigarh 1,500
  Jharkhand 1,000
  West Bengal 1,000
  Himachal Pradesh 800
  Chhattisgarh 500
  Gujarat 500
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Other / Small
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
100.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (280,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Hindi
40,000
Bagri
8,200
Dogri
2,100
Haryanvi
1,500
Kumaoni
300
Marwari
300
Garhwali
100
Kangri
100
Bilaspuri
90
Awadhi
80
Pahari-Potwari
40
Kashmiri
30
Pahari, Mahasu
30
Dhundari
30
Haroti
20
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (280,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 18
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Hindi 40,000
  Bagri 8,200
  Dogri 2,100
  Haryanvi 1,500
  Kumaoni 300
  Marwari 300
  Garhwali 100
  Kangri 100
  Bilaspuri 90
  Awadhi 80
  Pahari-Potwari 40
  Kashmiri 30
  Pahari, Mahasu 30
  Dhundari 30
  Haroti 20
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
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Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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