Malas in Papua New Guinea

The Malas have only been reported in Papua New Guinea
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Malas is the traditional language in the two villages of Simbukanam and Malas, on the coast of Madang. The Malas language is losing speakers. Most Malas people in their thirties and below have limited proficiency, and instead prefer speaking Tok Pisin. Give thanks that their growing proficiency in Tok Pisin gives them growing access to God's word in the Tok Pisin Bible. Pray that older and younger generations remain united despite the language shift.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The North Coast Road runs directly through the land of the Malas. This makes it so easy to access markets to sell their cash crops or to access a service center. Their main cash crops are cocoa and coconut. They also sell betel nut, food crops and livestock. Give thanks for their livelihoods.
Andrew Pick from the University of Hawaii recorded many stories told by the Malas people from both villages in 2017 and 2018. Andrew has made those stories and their translations available online, giving us valuable insights into their culture. Give thanks to God for his creativity that shines through the Malas culture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most all Malas people profess Christ.


What Are Their Needs?

This people needs both audio and written scriptures in their heart language.


Prayer Points

Pray for clear communication of the scriptures to the Malas people in their cultural context and in their heart languages, including those that rely on Malas and don't speak Tok Pisin well. There is evidence that three in four people in this district cannot read, so please also pray that the Malas people are able to access audio scriptures.
Pray that God continues to bless the Malas people both materially and spiritually.


Scripture Prayers for the Malas in Papua New Guinea.


References

Wycliffe Bible Translators


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Malas
People Name in Country Malas
Alternate Names
Population this Country 1,200
Population all Countries 1,200
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 13435
ROP3 Code 106134
ROP25 Code 305022
ROP25 Name Malas
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Madang province: Tokain 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 Madang province: Tokain area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 13.00 %)
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 Manep (1,200 speakers)
Language Code mkr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Manep (1,200 speakers)
Language Code mkr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Manep

Primary Language:  Manep

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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