Cham Bani

The Cham Bani are a small religious community in Vietnam. Previous scholars have argued they practice a localized form of Shi'a Islam that has been adapted throughout the centuries to include some Sunni influence, as well as potential Sufi influences. They are also influenced, to an extent, by Cham Hindu (Ahiér) practices, Shamanism, and may contrast themselves with Cham Hindus, Cham Animists, or Cham Islam (Sunni Muslims). Some scholars have also suggested they are an entirely localized, yet independent, syncretic religion.