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.
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.
Most are Christian.
The Maria people need to find better ways to earn a living since they live on poor agricultural land.
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.
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 | |
People ID | 13541 |
ROP3 Code | 106331 |
ROP25 Code | 305211 |
ROP25 Name | Maria (Papua New Guinea) |
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 |
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. |