Bahna (Hindu traditions) in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.

Introduction / History

The Bahna or Behana are a Hindu people who live in north and central India. 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 fabric, agriculture, manufacturing and trade. Some Bahna became Muslims during the time of the Moghuls. Many of them left India and moved to Pakistan in 1947. Many of the Bahna girls receive little formal education while the boys pursue more schooling. The Bahna are a Scheduled Caste meaning they receive special consideration for public jobs and university admissions. The primary language of the Bahna is Hindi.


Where Are they Located?

The large majority of the Hindu Bahna live in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bahna marry within their community often their cousins. One spouse is the general rule while having more than one wife is legal. The sons inherit their father's property. Their dead are cremated.

The Bahna are not vegetarians but as Hindus do not eat beef. Their main foods are rice, wheat, lentils, vegetables and fruit. Most Bahna live in villages with other castes.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bahna practice Hinduism, the ancient religion of India. They worship and serve the gods of the Hindu pantheon. Hindus believe that by performing rituals and good works that they will attain moksha or freedom from the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The Bahna visit Hindu temples and offer prayers, food, flowers and incense to their gods. There are many forms of Hinduism, each with its own deities and beliefs.

The main yearly holidays of the Bahna people are Holi, the festival of colors, Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the celebration of autumn and Rama Navami, Rama's birthday.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bahna need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ in a way they can understand. Teachers can come and help their girls gain a basic education. The Bahna need help in bringing modern conveniences to their villages.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully through those ministering to the Bahna people.
Pray for the tiny number of Bahna believers to grown and be strengthened in the faith.
Pray for movements to Jesus to sweep through Bahna families, permeating the group from within.


Scripture Prayers for the Bahna (Hindu traditions) in India.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behna
peoplegroupsindia.com/profiles/dhunia/comment-page-1/


Profile Source:   David Kugel  

People Name General Bahna (Hindu traditions)
People Name in Country Bahna (Hindu traditions)
Pronunciation BAH-nah
Alternate Names Behana; Dhoni; Dhunia; Dhunkar; Mansari; Naddaf; Panjara; Panjira; Panjwara; Penja; Pinja; Pinjali; Pinjara; Pinjia; Punji; बहना (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स)
Population this Country 981,000
Population all Countries 999,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 20
People ID 20279
ROP3 Code 115836
ROP25 Code 309220
ROP25 Name Bahna / Behana
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 10
Largest States
Uttar Pradesh
936,000
Haryana
32,000
Uttarakhand
12,000
Madhya Pradesh
400
Maharashtra
300
Himachal Pradesh
300
Delhi
200
Odisha
200
Gujarat
50
Chhattisgarh
50
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 10
  Uttar Pradesh 936,000
  Haryana 32,000
  Uttarakhand 12,000
  Madhya Pradesh 400
  Maharashtra 300
  Himachal Pradesh 300
  Delhi 200
  Odisha 200
  Gujarat 50
  Chhattisgarh 50
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
99.96 %
Islam
0.03 %
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 (616,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages
(only 15 largest shown)
Awadhi
74,000
Bhojpuri
65,000
Kanauji
50,000
Bundeli
9,600
Kumaoni
3,400
Braj Bhasha
3,000
Haryanvi
1,700
Garhwali
800
Marathi
200
Bagri
200
Punjabi, Eastern
200
Odia
100
Kangri
60
Mandeali
60
Pahari, Mahasu
60
Primary Language Hindi (616,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 22
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown)
  Awadhi 74,000
  Bhojpuri 65,000
  Kanauji 50,000
  Bundeli 9,600
  Kumaoni 3,400
  Braj Bhasha 3,000
  Haryanvi 1,700
  Garhwali 800
  Marathi 200
  Bagri 200
  Punjabi, Eastern 200
  Odia 100
  Kangri 60
  Mandeali 60
  Pahari, Mahasu 60
People Groups Speaking Hindi

Primary Language:  Hindi

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1806-1962)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1811-1998)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1818-2022)
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Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
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Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project  
Profile Source David Kugel 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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