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.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Rakhine people are fishermen and agriculturalists.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all 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.

Prayer Items

Pray for them to understand and respond to Christ.
Pray God will have mercy on the Rakhine doing whatever it takes to place them in a position to receive him.
Ask God to open the hearts of the Rakhine to the gospel.
Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among them.

Scripture Prayers for the Rakhine in Myanmar (Burma).