Odia-speaking South Asian in Myanmar (Burma)

The Odia-speaking South Asian have only been reported in Myanmar (Burma)
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

There have been many Indian people groups in Myanmar especially during British colonial days. Odia speakers, originating in India's Odisha state, were but one people group from India. The number of Indians increased dramatically during the early 20th century. Almost half of Yangoon's population was Indian during WWII, a situation which caused the Burmese majority to become alarmed. Thousands of Indians fled Myanmar in the early to mid-20th century due to anti-Indian violence. However, some remain in Myanmar to this day.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Odia speakers and other people groups from India who live in Myanmar can be merchants, shop owners, engineers, civil servants or common laborers.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Odiya speakers in Myanmar are almost entirely Hindu. They constantly struggle to win the favor of their deities, the "disease spirits," and the village gods. Gunias (magicians) practice witchcraft and sorcery in the villages. Extensive rituals and festivals are celebrated throughout the land, including the New Year's Festival and the Fertility of the Earth Festival.
They believe that sickness is placed on people by evil spirits and witches. They also sustain the belief that planets and stars in the zodiac are responsible for an individual's physical and mental condition, and that leprosy is a punishment for great sins. They look to herbal folk medicines, exorcisms and the gunias for cures from these and other illnesses.
Odia speakers believe that death is simply a passing from one life into the next. They believe that this cycle of death and rebirth will continue until the spirit merges with the person's "absolute soul." They believe that Yama, the god of justice, sends the soul to heaven or hell.


What Are Their Needs?

Odia speakers need the opportunity to hear and respond to the life-changing gospel.


Prayer Points

Pray for the few Odiya speaking believers to take Christ to their Hindu neighbors.
Pray for spiritual discernment and hunger among these Hindus.
Pray for a Disciple Making Movement among Odiya speakers in Myanmar.


Scripture Prayers for the South Asian, Odia-speaking in Myanmar (Burma).


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General South Asian, Odia-speaking
People Name in Country South Asian, Odia-speaking
Natural Name Odia-speaking South Asian
Alternate Names Oriya; Utkali; Vadiya
Population this Country 120,000
Population all Countries 120,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 14212
ROP3 Code 107677
ROP25 Code 306351
ROP25 Name Orisi (Odia)
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 0.20 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
94.00 %
Islam
4.00 %
Non-Religious
1.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Odia (120,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Odia (120,000 speakers)
Language Code ory   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Odia

Primary Language:  Odia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1811-1956)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1809-2000)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1815-2021)
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 Oral Bible stories One Story
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Odia 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 Rivka 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 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 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 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
General Zume Training Zume Project
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Paul Arps - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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