The name of the community is derived from the word sona meaning gold, and the people who work with gold are called Sunar or Sonar. Traditionally they are goldsmiths, but with the availability of better educational facilities the Sonar have become inclined towards education.
The Hindus among them are mainly in India, but smaller numbers live in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka.
They claim to have social status close to that of the Brahmins.
They allow for divorce and remarriage.
The Sonars are Hindus who worship whichever god they believe will bring them good luck and prosperity. Some are probably more philosophical in their spiritual lives.
A Sonar follower of Christ may lose his place in society and be ostracized. This is an important issue for high caste individuals. They need a group of people who are willing to embrace the only savior together.
There are few if any Christian believers among the Sonar but pray for the ones that will soon be a part of this community.
Pray they be well instructed in the faith and will grow in maturity and in numbers.
Pray for the Sonar community to be humble enough to acknowledge their need for forgiveness of sin, and that they understand the provision for forgiveness that God has provided.
Scripture Prayers for the Sonar (Hindu traditions) in Nepal.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Sonar (Hindu traditions) |
People Name in Country | Sonar (Hindu traditions) |
Pronunciation | suh-NAR |
Alternate Names | Agsali; Aksali; Ashraf; Ausala; Chaudhari; Gorkha; Hemkar; Jangar; Jargar; Kamsala; Kapila; Karai; Khakhar; Khatri; Konkar; Korai; Maipotra; Mair; Nepali; Niaria; Patni; Pattar; Potdar; Sanur; Saraf; Sarat; Sawrnakar; Sharif; Sheriff; Soanri Bania; Sonagara; Sonar; Sonari Bania; Soni; Soni Hahajan; Sonkar; Sonnari; Sunar; Suni; Sunia; Suniar; Suniyara; Sunnari; Suvarnakar; Suvarnkar; Swarankar; Swarnakar; Tank; Verma; Zagar; Zargar; सोनार (हिंदू ट्रेडिशन्स) |
Population this Country | 76,000 |
Population all Countries | 8,443,000 |
Total Countries | 5 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 2 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 2 |
People ID | 18150 |
ROP3 Code | 113659 |
ROP25 Code | 307633 |
ROP25 Name | Sonar |
Country | Nepal | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 14 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Nepal |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 14 |
Narayani 29,000 | |
Janakpur 29,000 | |
Sagarmatha 6,300 | |
Kosi 4,300 | |
Lumbini 1,900 | |
Gandaki 1,400 | |
Bheri 1,200 | |
Mechi 1,200 | |
Bagmati 1,000 | |
Mahakali 400 | |
Seti 400 | |
Karnali 200 | |
Rapti 200 | |
Dhaulagiri 50 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Hinduism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.12 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
0.12 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
99.76 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
* From latest Nepal census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Maithili (41,000 speakers) | ||||||||||||
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing | ||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | ||||||||||||
Total Languages | 13 | ||||||||||||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Maithili (41,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mai Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 13 |
Secondary Languages | |
Bhojpuri 17,000 | |
Hindi 2,000 | |
Nepali 1,800 | |
Awadhi 1,700 | |
Marwari (India) 1,000 | |
Magahi 300 | |
Angika 200 | |
Kumaoni 200 | |
Dotyali 100 | |
Bantawa 40 | |
Rangpuri 30 | |
Bengali 30 | |
People Groups | Speaking Maithili |
Primary Language: Maithili
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2010) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Steve Evans - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | People Group Location: Omid. Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |