Manipuri in Myanmar (Burma)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

With many ethnic groups nestled within its borders, Myanmar has a complicated network of cultures. Along with the local tribes there are thousands of people from India’s northeastern Manipur state who have spilled over into Myanmar. Some migrated long ago while others are fleeing violence in Manipur. Most Manipuris live in Manipur, India, but others live in Bangladesh or Myanmar.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Manipuri are rice farmers who build their terraces on mountain and hill slopes, using irrigation canals and dams. They use different kinds of pick axes, hoes, spades, water buffalo drawn plows, and tillers for farming. Fertilizers, especially cattle dung, are used for cultivation. Cattle production is also developing. Some still practice "slash and burn" agriculture.

Their families are patrilineal, meaning that the line of descent is traced through the father. The father or eldest brother is the head of the family and makes all the decisions. Two to four family branches make up a clan. The members of each clan have a patronymic name (name that is derived from a common father or ancestor).

Manipuris like handicrafts such as wickerwork, cotton weaving and dyeing. The women are usually pictured carrying baskets on their backs, toting a baby in a sack around their shoulders, and spinning cotton with their hands. In their tradition, the respect a woman receives depends upon the number of sons and grandsons she has. The folk arts and literature of the Manipuri are also fairly well developed. Many stories of literary and historic value, as well as folk tales, have been passed down orally.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Manipuri were converted to Hinduism in the sixteenth century, but elements of their pre-Hindu religion still remain today. In addition to worshiping the officially recognized Hindu gods, Manipuri continue to worship many gods of nature, especially one who supposedly came to earth in the form of a snake. Folk beliefs continue to be highly influential in Manipuri society. For example, the people often make difficult decisions by observing the positions of roosters' feet. They even have an old proverb that says, "All wisdom derives from a rooster's foot." Dance is closely tied to Manipuri religion. In the people's eyes, dance is a means of pleasing the gods and is the essence of the universe.


What Are Their Needs?

Manipuris in India are under attack by armed drug dealers and other criminals. In Myanmar, they must also deal with a rogue military. Therefore, one of their greatest needs is protection from the Lord.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to protect the Manipuri people and others in Myanmar from evil men.
Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Manipuri Christians.
Ask the Holy Spirit to complete the work begun in the hearts of the Manipuri believers through adequate discipleship that will lead to more discipleship.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Manipuri people in Myanmar and India.


Scripture Prayers for the Manipuri, Ponna in Myanmar (Burma).


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meitei_people


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Meitei
People Name in Country Manipuri, Ponna
Natural Name Manipuri
Alternate Names Maitei; Meetei; Megli; Mitei; Pangal; Ponna; मएइतेई
Population this Country 12,000
Population all Countries 1,650,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 13513
ROP3 Code 106268
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 17  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 17  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Primary Religion: Hinduism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.50 %)
1.70 %
Ethnic Religions
7.00 %
Hinduism
84.40 %
Islam
6.90 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Meitei (12,000 speakers)
Language Code mni   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Pan-gal
Dialect Code 594   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Meitei (12,000 speakers)
Language Code mni   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Pan-gal
Dialect Code 594   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Meitei

Primary Language:  Meitei

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1820-1995)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1827-2023)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1984-2022)
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
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Online Scripture / Portions General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Meitei Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
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 Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Manipuri Bible Bibles International
Mobile App Android Bible app: Meitei YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Manipuri Bible General / Other
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Meitei YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Meitei Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Copyrighted © 2024  Isudas  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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