Nima Bania in India


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Other / Small (Jainism)
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

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 95,000
Population all Countries 95,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 19717
ROP3 Code 115170
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 9
Largest States
Maharashtra
41,000
Madhya Pradesh
20,000
Gujarat
16,000
Rajasthan
14,000
Delhi
2,500
Telangana
800
Chhattisgarh
200
Odisha
60
Haryana
10
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 9
  Maharashtra 41,000
  Madhya Pradesh 20,000
  Gujarat 16,000
  Rajasthan 14,000
  Delhi 2,500
  Telangana 800
  Chhattisgarh 200
  Odisha 60
  Haryana 10
Website South Asia Peoples
Primary Religion: Other / Small (Jainism)
Major Religion Percent *
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
41.91 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
58.09 %
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 (India)
4,500
Nimadi
2,700
Wagdi
1,500
Khandesi
800
Dhundari
600
Malvi
500
Mewari
200
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 (India) 4,500
  Nimadi 2,700
  Wagdi 1,500
  Khandesi 800
  Dhundari 600
  Malvi 500
  Mewari 200
  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)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links (Hindi) Scripture Earth
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Mobile App Android Bible app: Hindi Word General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: Sab Ki Bible Grace Ministries and Dusty Sandals
Mobile App Android Bible app: पवित्र बाइबिल Hindi Bible Biblica
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Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
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Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
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Text / Printed Matter Christ for the Nations General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Hindi Bible General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Hindi Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter The Ancient Path Live Global
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
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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