Burmese in Australia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Burmese originated in the hills of Tibet, and they speak a Sino-Tibetan language called Bama (Burmese). Today, they are the political, economic and religious leaders of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

Myanmar has had a long history of coups, wars, and rebellions. Ethnic divisions and political unrest have been common since the first Burman Kingdom in the eleventh century. Today, the Burmese military maintains forcible control over the ethnic groups who want equal rights in the government and in commerce. The military promises cease-fires; but at the slightest note of rebellion, they attack. Consequently, the Burmese have lived in a constant state of instability, defense, bitterness, and fear. Thousands flee the country to peaceful countries like Australia.

There is also a small population of Burmese who have been in Australia for generations. These people usually served with the Australian military or were family members of military personnel. They are much more assimilated, though they have kept their Buddhist religion.


Where Are they Located?

Most Burmese live in their home country, Myanmar. A large number have fled to refugee camps in nearby Thailand. From there, the fortunate ones are able to find asylum in other countries like Australia. The Burmese in Australia often live in major cities like Melbourne and Sydney, but some are being re-settled in the less densely populated parts of Australia's southeast.

Not all people who flee Myanmar are Burmese. There are a large number of ethnic minorities like the Chins and Karens, both of which have a large Christian population. More recently the predominantly Muslim Rohingyas have been fleeing Myanmar.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Even Burmese people with a good education and marketable skills in Myanmar are at a grave disadvantage when trying to get high-paying jobs in English-speaking Australia. Some have managed to start food businesses. Others are under-employed.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Burmese are predominantly Buddhists. The traditional goal in Buddhism is to seek the middle path to nirvana, or ultimate peace. The Burmese have mixed these Buddhist beliefs with their own animistic beliefs (belief that non-living objects have spirits).

Their animistic beliefs center around inherently evil spirits called nats. The Burmese spend their lives trying to appease the nats so that they will be protected from any other evil spirits that may seek to harm them. Burmese homes often have altars for the spirits, as well as a statue of Buddha.

The Burmese, like other Buddhists, believe that death is not a threat to one who has done good deeds. Instead, death is simply a "passing" from one life to another. They believe that "rebirth" is determined by the accumulated good or bad deeds done in the previous live. Therefore, those who have earned less merit are reborn as demons, ghosts, animals, or inhabitants of hell.


What Are Their Needs?

The recent refugees need help in getting assimilated into Australian society. They need to be taught English and job skills. They need help from believers who will help them get a place to live, a job, and learn the basics of how to operate in an unfamiliar country.


Prayer Points

Pray that the troubles in Burma will lead the Burmese to come to salvation.
Pray for the effectiveness of the JESUS Film among the Burmese in Australia.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Burmese towards believers so that they will be receptive to the gospel.
Pray that believers will show Burmese refugees love and lead them to Jesus Christ.
Pray for Australia to become the starting point for a Disciple-Making movement among Burmese Buddhists.


Scripture Prayers for the Burmese in Australia.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11029/NZ
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11029/BM
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/origins/history.aspx?pid=218
http://www.newmandala.org/study-of-burmese-migrant-experiences-in-australia/
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-14/burmese-refugees-finding-homes-in-south-australia-mount-gambier/7154840


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Burmese
People Name in Country Burmese
Pronunciation bur-MEEZE
Alternate Names Bama; Bamar; Bamas; Burman; Man; Myan; Myan, Myen; Myanmas; Myen; Yaw; बर्मीज़
Population this Country 18,000
Population all Countries 31,960,000
Total Countries 18
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11029
ROP3 Code 101776
ROP25 Code 301501
ROP25 Name Burmese (Bhama)
Country Australia
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Australia
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
94.95 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.07 %)
0.35 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
4.30 %
Non-Religious
0.40 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Burmese (18,000 speakers)
Language Code mya   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Burmese (18,000 speakers)
Language Code mya   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Burmese

Primary Language:  Burmese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1815-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1832-1987)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1835-2021)
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 Story of Jesus audio 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 Burmese Jesus Film Project
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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Burmese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Burmese YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Burmese Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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