Nima Bania in India

The Nima Bania 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.

Introduction / History

"Bania" or "Baniya" is a Sanskrit word that means "trader." The Startup Journal, a secular Indian paper, reports they are experts in bookkeeping and trading. They have the business knowledge and a willingness to take financial risks. They are meticulous bookkeepers, and seldom miss opportunities to make money. They can splurge when necessary and can adapt to India's fast-changing circumstances. The Nema are a Bania subcaste. The origin of their name is obscure. Most of the Nema live in central India.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Nema wear the sacred Hindu thread and apparently prohibit the remarriage of widows. The Nema are considered to be keen businessmen, and a saying about them is, "Where a sheep grazes or a Nema trades, what is there left for anybody else?" They have 14 clans, each named after an ancient prince.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They are mainly Hindus, with a small minority of Jains. Like other Bania communities, the Nema are concerned about their economic welfare, and they chose the gods to worship accordingly. For example, Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of prosperity, is among the favorite goddesses for Bania peoples like the Nema.


What Are Their Needs?

The Nema Banias need to put their trust in Jesus Christ rather than worldly wealth. The Nema need to see that only Jesus Christ can forgive their sins and give them a meaningful life.


Prayer Points

Ask God to lead many Nema to investigate the claims of Christ. Pray for a disciple making movement among the Nema Banias this decade. Pray for the Lord to send out workers to the Nema Banias to tell them the good news.


Scripture Prayers for the Bania Nima in India.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Bania Nima
People Name in Country Bania Nima
Natural Name Nima Bania
Alternate Names Mahajan; Neema; Nema; Nema Jain; Nemavisa; बनिया, निमा
Population this Country 99,000
Population all Countries 99,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 19717
ROP3 Code 115170
ROP25 Code 305986
ROP25 Name Bania Nima
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 8
Largest States
Maharashtra
43,000
Madhya Pradesh
21,000
Gujarat
17,000
Rajasthan
15,000
Delhi
2,600
Telangana
800
Chhattisgarh
200
Odisha
60
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 8
  Maharashtra 43,000
  Madhya Pradesh 21,000
  Gujarat 17,000
  Rajasthan 15,000
  Delhi 2,600
  Telangana 800
  Chhattisgarh 200
  Odisha 60
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
41.77 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
58.23 %
Unknown
0.00 %
* From latest India census data.
Current Christian values may substantially differ.
Primary Language Hindi (31,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
Marathi
21,000
Gujarati
14,000
Konkani
6,200
Marwari
5,400
Nimadi
2,700
Dhundari
1,900
Khandesi
800
Malvi
500
Mewari
200
Kacchi
90
Chhattisgarhi
40
Primary Language Hindi (31,000 speakers)
Language Code hin   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 12
Secondary Languages
  Marathi 21,000
  Gujarati 14,000
  Konkani 6,200
  Marwari 5,400
  Nimadi 2,700
  Dhundari 1,900
  Khandesi 800
  Malvi 500
  Mewari 200
  Kacchi 90
  Chhattisgarhi 40
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)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
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Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hindi Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rivka video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
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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