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 (formerly known as Burma) has a rich cultural milieu. The Mahei of Myanmar live in the mountains and Mekong River Valley of the northeastern portion of Myanmar bordering southern China's Yunnan Province. Lacking specific information about the Mahei, this profile is based on their close ethnic and cultural relationship with the Hani and the Akha. It also draws conclusions from their location in the so-called Mae Khong River quadrangle area, which includes the border areas of China, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

Although the exact origin of this mountain tribal group is not known, legends say that their nomadic ancestors gradually migrated southward from a far away northern plain in China. Since their language-also called Mahei-is of the Tibeto-Burmese group, others believe that their origin may have been Tibet. Their culture has elaborate oral traditions and long, interrelated genealogical and ritual practices.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Hani and Akha (the related ethnic groups) are rice farmers who skillfully 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 slowly developing. The Mahei, however, are likely to be part of those who still practice "slash and burn" agriculture. They generally live far away from one another in separate groups, each with a few families.

Most Mahei 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). Young Mahei men and women are allowed to choose their marriage partners, but they must also have parental consent. Wedding rituals vary from district to district. However, it is customary for the newlyweds to live in the home of the girl's parents for three to four years.

The Mahei 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 Mahei are also fairly well developed. Many stories of literary and historic value, as well as folk tales, have been passed down orally. A number of Mahei poems are about marriage and other customs.

Every year, the people in each village celebrate four to five major festivals. The most extensive one is a harvest festival called the "Tenth Moon." Each occasion exemplifies the Mahei's warm, hospitable nature.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Mahei practice their traditional ethnic religions. Most of their villages have temples where a multitude of gods are worshipped. These gods are associated with the earth, water, fire, and famous ancestors. It is also common for brothers in the same family to worship their dead parents at the eldest brother's house. On the lunar New Year's Eve, children are told about their deceased ancestors and their family lineage.

Besides worshiping ancestors, the Mahei also venerate the spirits of their parents-in-law. Each year in the second lunar month, they hold a grand offering service in the village. There they pray to the spirits for health, prosperity in farming, and success in cattle breeding. In rice-growing areas, the "Thunder God" and the "Wind Ghost" are worshipped. Many rituals and ceremonies are held to honor these gods during the farming season.


What Are Their Needs?

Christian materials are needed in the Mahei language. Increased intercession and missions efforts are necessary for reaching the Mahei with the Good News of Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Mahei Christians.
Ask the Holy Spirit to complete the work begun in the hearts of the Mahei believers through adequate discipleship.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Mahei.


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


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

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 1,455,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13513
ROP3 Code 106268
ROP25 Code 305139
ROP25 Name Manipuri
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  (1984-2019)
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
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 resources links Scripture Earth
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General Gospel website in this language General / Other
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Meitei YouVersion Bibles
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 Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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