Mugil, Bunu in Papua New Guinea

The Mugil, Bunu have only been reported in Papua New Guinea
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

This people group is associated with the Mugil area of Madang Province on the north coast of Papua New Guinea. They belong to a coastal region where village life has long been shaped by the sea, nearby garden land, and close kinship ties. Because reliable public ethnographic material specific to the Bunu Mugil is limited, they are best placed in the broader north-coastal Madang setting of small village communities connected by shoreline travel, local trade, and subsistence life.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Bunu Mugil likely live in the kind of coastal village environment common to the Mugil area of Madang Province, where daily life is closely tied to the sea, nearby garden plots, and extended family networks. In this kind of north-coastal setting, ordinary life commonly includes small-scale gardening, fishing, coconut use, and travel by foot, canoe, or small boat between nearby settlements. Houses are typically simple village homes built from local materials suited to a humid tropical climate. Family and clan obligations are central, and village life is often shaped by shared labor, kinship ties, and community cooperation. Their language is best understood as the Bunu speech associated with the Mugil area, though public external documentation is sparse.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Bunu Mugil are identified primarily as Christian, though some traditional ethnic religious influence may remain.


What Are Their Needs?

The Bunu Mugil need spiritual depth so that Christian identity is matched by genuine repentance, biblical conviction, and obedience to Christ. Where there is a strong Christian base, the need is for healthy churches, faithful shepherds, sound teaching, and families that live out the gospel clearly. They need protection from nominal Christianity, compromise, and any lingering attachment to older spiritual loyalties. They also need renewed zeal to carry the gospel beyond their own community and to serve other ethnic groups with faithful witness.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Bunu Mugil would grow in genuine repentance, biblical clarity, and joyful obedience to Jesus Christ.
Pray that pastors, elders, and other local leaders would teach Scripture faithfully and lead with humility and courage.
Pray that any remaining attachment to older spiritual practices would be fully surrendered to the lordship of Christ.
Pray for strong Christian families, healthy churches, and enduring discipleship among the Bunu Mugil.
Pray that the Bunu Mugil would actively reach out to other ethnic groups with the gospel and become a faithful witness beyond their own community.


Scripture Prayers for the Mugil, Bunu in Papua New Guinea.


References

NONE


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mugil
People Name in Country Mugil, Bunu
Alternate Names Bunu; Saker
Population this Country 7,100
Population all Countries 7,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 13855
ROP3 Code 106862
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Madang province: Madang district, North Coast road opposite Karkar island.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Madang province: Madang district, North Coast road opposite Karkar island..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Estimated Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Bargam (7,100 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code mlp
Ethnologue Language Familly Trans-New Guinea
Glottolog Language Family Nuclear Trans New Guinea
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Bargam (7,100 speakers)
Ethnologue Language Code mlp
Ethnologue Language Familly Trans-New Guinea
Glottolog Language Family Nuclear Trans New Guinea
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.