Burmese in Korea, South


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Burmese originated in the hills of Tibet, and they speak a Sino-Tibetan language called Bama (Burmese). Today, they are the political, economic and religious leaders of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. They inhabit the country's central delta plains, an extremely fertile area that was formed by the Irrawaddy and Salween Rivers. This is the most economically important region in the country.

Myanmar has had a long history of coups, wars, and rebellions. Ethnic divisions and political unrest have been common since the first Burman kingdom in the eleventh century. Today, the Burmese military maintains forcible control over the ethnic groups who want equal importance in the government and in commerce. In May of 1994, over 17 battles occurred in Shan State alone. The military promises cease-fire; but at the slightest note of rebellion, they attack violently. Consequently, the Burmese have lived in a constant state of instability, defense, bitterness, and fear.


Where Are they Located?

Most Burmese live in their home country, Myanmar, though there is a sizable diaspora, especially in nearby countries like Thailand. Other diaspora/refugees live further away, even in South Korea.


What Are Their Lives Like?

South Korea is a popular place for refugees to find work. They arrive seeking hope for their future.

Korea switched from a military dictatorship to a democracy resulting in an economic upturn, requiring more workers, especially in industry. There are, however, growing pains as abuses of workers' rights from employers, and discrimination from South Koreans. Many today remain illegally, because of South Korean archaic employment laws.

Life is hard for South Korean Burmese refugees in many ways and improving in others as the government catches up to the refugee/need ratio.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Burmese are predominantly Hinayana Buddhists. The traditional goal in Buddhism is to seek the middle path to nirvana, or ultimate peace. The Burmese have mixed these Buddhist beliefs with their own animistic beliefs (belief that non-living objects have spirits).

Their animistic beliefs center around inherently evil spirits called nats. The Burmese spend their lives trying to appease the nats so that they will be protected from any other evil spirits that may seek to harm them. All Burmese homes have altars for the spirits, as well as a statue of Buddha.

According to their Buddhist faith, the Burmese believe that death is not a threat to one who has done good deeds. Instead, death is simply a "passing" from one life to another. Buddhists believe that those with less merit are reborn as demons, ghosts, animals, or inhabitants of hell.


What Are Their Needs?

The Burmese left their homeland, Myanmar, in search of peace. Unfortunately, the peace they desired has not been found in Bangladesh. They are in need of loving Christians who will introduce them to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Very few of the Burmese community have come to Christ. Fervent prayer and effective evangelism are the keys to seeing them reached with the Gospel. Bible resources exist in the Burmese language, but few are gaining access to them.


Prayer Points

Pray for a "Book of Acts" type of movement to Christ among the Burmese people in South Korea.
Pray for the Burmese people to understand and embrace that Jesus wants to bless their families and neighborhoods.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Burmese people to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Burmese communities in South Korea.


Scripture Prayers for the Burmese in Korea, South.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/11029/BM
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Burmese-immigrants,-hope-for-the-future-of-Korea-22345.html
https://academic.oup.com/jrs/article/31/3/371/4922730
http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3045741
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Refugees_in_South_Korea
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2017/07/south-korea-prepares-arrival-30-burmese-refugees-next-week/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Burmese
People Name in Country Burmese
Pronunciation burr-MEEZE
Alternate Names Bama; Bamar; Bamas; Burman; Man; Myan; Myan, Myen; Myanmas; Myen; Yaw; बर्मीज़
Population this Country 23,000
Population all Countries 31,726,000
Total Countries 18
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 11029
ROP3 Code 101776

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
99.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.70 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Burmese (23,000 speakers)
Language Code mya   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Burmese (23,000 speakers)
Language Code mya   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Burmese

Primary Language:  Burmese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1815-1985)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1832-1987)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1835-2014)
Bible-NT Audio Online
Bible-NT Text 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 New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Online New Testament Faith Comes by Hearing
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Burmese 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 Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
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 Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Burmese YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  Kerry Olson  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Profile Source Keith Carey  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more