Rakhine in Myanmar (Burma)

Photo Source:  Anonymous

Map Source:  People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.

People Name:	Rakhine
Country:	Myanmar (Burma)
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	2,580,000
World Population:	2,600,000
Primary Language:	Rakhine
Primary Religion:	Buddhism
Christian Adherents:	0.10 %
Evangelicals:	0.05 %
Scripture:	Portions
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Burmese
Affinity Bloc:	Tibetan-Himalayan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Rakhine people speak a nonstandard variety of Burmese. They live throughout Rakhine State, Myanmar, mainly in the townships of Sittwe, Ponnagyun, Kyauktaw, Mrauk Oo, Kyauk Phyu, Man Aung, Taunggup, and Thandwe. Many other minority people living in Rakhine State and nearby Paletwa Township (Chin State) can also speak Rakhine as their second language. The Rakhine people are fishermen and agriculturalists.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all of the Rakhine people are staunch Buddhists. Some outreach is being done among them by local evangelists and missionaries from other people groups within Myanmar.

What Are Their Needs?

Since the Rakhine people speak a nonstandard variety of Burmese, they would probably be able to adequately use the Burmese Bible for written literature. However, it would be beneficial to produce evangelistic materials (such as audio-visual materials, songs, tracts, etc.) in the Rakhine language.

Text Source:   Anonymous 

Full Joshua Project profile at: www.joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13207/BM