Maru, Lhaovo in Myanmar (Burma)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Identity

The name Maru is used by the Kachin and Jingpo to describe this group. The Maru call themselves Lhao Vo. In China the Maru have been classified as part of the Jingpo nationality, while in Myanmar they are viewed as part of the large Kachin ethnic group. The Maru earnestly oppose such classifications, insisting on a separate historical and cultural identity.

The Maru language has three tones. It is related to the other Jingpo languages in China but contains loanwords from Chinese, Jingpo, Tai Mao, and Burmese. The Maru use a Roman script, devised in 1957.


History

The Maru claim to have migrated from the Tibetan Plateau thousands of years ago. They lived first in the Nujiang River valley in Yunnan before settling down in northern Myanmar. They claim to be the original inhabitants of Myanmar - an assertion that upsets the Burmans and Kachin.


Customs

The Maru live in close-knit communities. When a house is being built, the whole village lends a hand in its construction. When a Maru family moves, they carry the fire from their old home along in a torch, believing the unbroken fire will ensure the continuing well-being of the family.


Religion

The majority of Maru in both Myanmar and China claim to be Christians, but in many cases their faith is nominal. One Maru church leader explains, "Many Maru animists decided to accept Christ for their convenience. They wanted to get rid of the burden of sacrificing offerings of chickens, buffaloes etc. to appease the spirits. They did not really know who Christ is. That's why when they received the copy of the Word of God in their own language, they learned that Jesus is the Redeemer; that they were redeemed from the hands of Satan to become the son of the Almighty Father; that they were a holy priesthood, a holy nation, not just plainly called Christians, but that they are an anointed people. They then understood the meaning of being a Christian for the first time."


Christianity

Missionaries first focused on the Maru 100 years ago. As a result, most Maru in China and Myanmar are Christians - primarily Baptists and Catholics. However, despite the apparent success, Christianity never really took root in the people's hearts. This was primarily because the Bible was not translated in their own language. In 1994 the Maru New Testament was completed. Four thousand copies have been distributed in Myanmar. At the present time three ministries are busy translating separate copies of the Maru Old Testament.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Maru, Lhaovo in Myanmar (Burma).


Profile Source:   Operation China, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Maru, Lhaovo
People Name in Country Maru, Lhaovo
Pronunciation MAH-roo
Alternate Names Diso; Diso); Lang; Lang'e; Lansu; Laungaw; Laungwaw; Lawng; Lhao Vo; Malu; Matu; Mulu; Zi
Population this Country 122,000
Population all Countries 154,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 13557
ROP3 Code 106361
ROP25 Code 305227
ROP25 Name Maru
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)
Location in Country Kachin State, east border area, Waimaw, Chiphwe, and Sawlaw townships, widely dispersed; north Shan State, Kutkai township.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
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)
Location in Country Kachin State, east border area, Waimaw, Chiphwe, and Sawlaw townships, widely dispersed; north Shan State, Kutkai township..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 7.00 %)
9.00 %
Ethnic Religions
87.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lhao Vo (122,000 speakers)
Language Code mhx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Zagaran Mran
Dialect Code 13788   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lhao Vo (122,000 speakers)
Language Code mhx   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Zagaran Mran
Dialect Code 13788   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lhao Vo

Primary Language:  Lhao Vo

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1940-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1985-2003)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2009)
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 Jesus Film: view in Lhao Vo Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Lhao Vo YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Lhao Vo YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Operation China, Asia Harvest  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Operation China, Asia Harvest  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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