Bania (Newar caste)

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Banras (Banias), subdivision of Newars, Nepal
Itum Bahal, Kathmandu. The surrounding area is a traditional Bania neighborhood.

Newari Banias (Devanagari: बनिया) are a Bania caste from the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The name Bania is derived from the Sanskrit word vaṇij (merchant); by preference, Bania (caste).

Banias belong to the Urāy group which includes Tuladhar, Kansakar, Tamrakar, Sthapit, Sindurakar, Selalik and other castes. They speak Nepal Bhasa as a mother tongue and follow Newar Buddhism.

Banias are traditionally herbalists and wholesalers of raw materials for Newar, Tibetan and Āyurvedic traditional medicines.[1] Traditional Bania neighborhoods in Kathmandu are Itum Bahal, Bania Chuka and Jhwabahal where the streets are lined with herbal shops.[2][3]

Cultural life

Notable Banias

References

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