The De'ang are members of the Mon-Khmer language family. Palaung is the only one of the four De'ang languages that is not tonal. Many Christian resources are available in Palaung including a complete Bible and the JESUS Film.
The Pale Palaung or De'ang are an indigenous people who live in Myanmar, Thailand and China. The vast majority of the De'ang reside in central Myanmar about 200 km south of Mandalay, Burma's second largest city.
Most De'ang make their living through agriculture, fishing, and logging. Village leaders assign based on one's age and gender. Men perform tasks such as plowing, while the women plant seeds, fetch water and take care of children. Rice is the staple food. Fish, tropical fruit, vegetables, and coconuts supplement the Pale's diet. Most families own a water buffalo, with some chickens, pigs and goats. The De'ang have been culturally influenced by their Dai neighbors.
Life for the Pale Palaung revolves around the village. Elders make judicial decisions and deal with outsiders. Many of the men are able to speak the national language of Burmese. Monogamy or marriage to one spouse is the common practice. Couples have many children. Adult sons must care for their elderly parents. Due to a lack of modern medicine, some children die before their tenth birthday. Some Pale young people move to Burmese cities hoping for a better life. Many children quit school after a few years in order to help support their families. When a son joins a Buddhist monastery, his family gains honor from the community. Families and young people choose one's spouse.
The De'ang have a rich tradition of music, poems, dances, and art forms which they celebrate during Buddhist festivals and holidays.
Many centuries ago, the De'ang converted to Theravada Buddhism. Their Buddhist practices are mixed with numerous animistic beliefs and rituals. Village shamans are powerful figures in De'ang society. No important event is undertaken without first consulting a shaman.
The Buddhism is the major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha, who lived in the 6th and 5th century BC in ancient India. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths by which one can gain spiritual knowledge and escape the endless cycles of reincarnation. Theravada, one of the two major branches of Buddhism, declares that by following the Noble Eightfold Path of right intentions and right actions that a Buddhist can achieve nirvana or a state of freedom and salvation.
To most Buddhists, however, these things have far less meaning than their traditional beliefs, which are usually animistic. In animism, evil spirits must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. Buddhism allows people to mix Buddhist teachings with traditional religion.
Two of the important Buddhist yearly holidays are Vesak, the Buddha's birthday celebrated in May or June and Bodhi Day, the holiday in December or January which commemorates the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment under a Bodhi tree.
The majority of the Palaung live in fear of demons and evil spirits. Few missionaries in the past have tried to reach the De'ang. Only Jesus can free the Palaung from their fear of evil spirits. Teams of believers can help the Palaung in practical way and demonstrate the love of Christ. The Palaung need access to modern medicine. Solar panels can bring the benefits of electricity.
Pray for the Lord to miraculously intervene in De'ang families and lead them to the Savior.
Pray for loving workers to go to the De'ang and share the good news with them.
Pray for De'ang hearts to be drawn to the Lord Jesus
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in the De'ang communities of Myanmar.
Scripture Prayers for the Palaung, Pale in Myanmar (Burma).
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Palaung, Pale |
People Name in Country | Palaung, Pale |
Natural Name | Pale Palaung |
Pronunciation |
|
Alternate Names | Benglong; Bonglong; Bonglung; Bulei; Darang; Deang; De'ang Pale; Manton; Nam Hsan; Ngwe; Ngwe Palaung; Palaung; Pale Palaung; Palong; PalPalay; Penglung; Silver; Silver Palaung; Southern Ta'ang; Taang |
Population this Country | 293,000 |
Population all Countries | 310,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 6 |
People ID | 14178 |
ROP3 Code | 109011 |
ROP25 Code | 306447 |
ROP25 Name | Palaung |
Country | Myanmar (Burma) | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 14 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Mandalay Region, Katha and Pyinoolwin townships; Shan State, Taunggyi district. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Myanmar (Burma) |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 14 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Mandalay Region, Katha and Pyinoolwin townships; Shan State, Taunggyi district.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Religion Subdivision: | Theravada |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
99.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.06 %) |
0.10 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.90 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Palaung, Ruching (293,000 speakers) |
Language Code | pce Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Raojin |
Dialect Code | 15420 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Palaung, Ruching (293,000 speakers) |
Language Code | pce Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Raojin |
Dialect Code | 15420 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Palaung, Ruching |
Primary Language: Palaung, Ruching
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2012-2013) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (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 | Online Audio Scripture | Talking Bibles |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Palaung, Ruching | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
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: Palaung, Ruching | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Bible app direct APK download | SIL |
Mobile App | Bible app direct APK download | SIL |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Palaung, Ruching | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Jesus Messiah comic book | General / Other |
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2023 Kerry Olson All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Video Source | Asia Harvest |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |