Dawei, Tavoyan in Myanmar (Burma)

People Name:	Dawei, Tavoyan
Country:	Myanmar (Burma)
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	462,000
World Population:	462,600
Primary Language:	Tavoyan
Primary Religion:	Buddhism
Christian Adherents:	0.10 %
Evangelicals:	0.04 %
Scripture:	Portions
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Burmese
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction

Most Dawei people inhabit a long coastal stretch of the Tanintharyi Division in southern Myanmar. A small number have made their way across the border and now live in refugee camps inside Thailand. They fled to Thailand to escape oppression at the hands of the Burmese authorities who conscripted many to work on a new railroad under inhumane conditions. For centuries the Dawei people have been a peace-loving and gentle people. Their language is viewed as a "nonstandard Burmese with profound pronunciation and vocabulary differences from Burmese," by the Ethnologue. Missionaries working in their region for decades have found the Buddhist Dawei slow to respond to the gospel. The youth among the Dawei can find good quality Christian resources (videos, music, websites, etc.) as they search the media.

Ministry Obstacles

The Dawei have proven to be disinterested in the gospel in the past.

Outreach Ideas

Pray for the Followers of Christ

Pray for the Entire People Group

Pray for peaceful relations between the Dawei people and Burmese authorities. Pray that those refugees in Thailand would be less resistant to the gospel. Pray for a movement to Christ among these Buddhists. Pray that the few followers of Jesus among the Dawei people would be joyful always, praying continually, giving thanks in all circumstances, and willing to give a reason for their faith.