Maria, Manubara in Papua New Guinea

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

Introduction / History

A small population of people who speak Maria (and its seven dialects!) are spread throughout the Abau and Rigo districts of Central Province, with a few in Oro Province. Maria is used for face-to-face communication by all generations, so the language is not endangered. Thank God that around one in four can read with comprehension across the districts where Maria speakers live.
Thank God that multilingual Maria speakers can access God's word in English, Tok Pisin, Motu and Sinaugoro (including in audio formats). However, older folk, very young children and those based in the villages may not know these languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The dry coastal plains of Rigo and Abau are poor for agriculture, however people are able to raise a few crops to sell. The Magi Highway connects them to Port Moresby, which is good for getting products to markets, but parts of the highway are impassable during the rainy season. Some people live close enough to the capital to commute there for jobs.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most are Christian.


What Are Their Needs?

The Maria people need to find better ways to earn a living since they live on poor agricultural land.


Prayer Points

Pray that Maria people who can understand Tok Pisin or English Bibles will take God's word to heart and share it with their people.
Pray that Maria speakers will soon be able to access God's word in their own language. Pray that God's word would dwell in them richly.


Scripture Prayers for the Maria, Manubara in Papua New Guinea.


References

Wycliffe Bible Translators


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Maria
People Name in Country Maria, Manubara
Alternate Names Didigaru; Manubara
Population this Country 2,400
Population all Countries 2,400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 13541
ROP3 Code 106331
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Central province: Abau and Rigo districts, Marshall lagoon to northwest; Oro province: Mount Brown area.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Central province: Abau and Rigo districts, Marshall lagoon to northwest; Oro province: Mount Brown area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 27.00 %)
90.00 %
Ethnic Religions
10.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Maria (Papua New Guinea) (2,400 speakers)
Language Code mds   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Maria (Papua New Guinea) (2,400 speakers)
Language Code mds   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Maria (Papua New Guinea)

Primary Language:  Maria (Papua New Guinea)

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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