Moken in Myanmar (Burma)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Moken people are to be found in Southern Burma or Myanmar and in Southern Thailand. They are nomadic on the sea which could make it difficult for the gospel message to be given to them.

The Moken have their own language which is Austronesian, a language used in South East Asia and Oceania. The Moken in Thailand can speak Thai while the Moken in Burma can speak Burmese.

In Thailand the Moken are known as Chao Ley and can be called Selung in Burma. Some of the Moken are Buddhists while others follow traditional religions.

The Moken live off plant life from the sea as they are familiar with the sea. That which they do not eat they exchange for other things at markets. Some Burmese Moken have small wooden boats with a living room, bedroom and kitchen and they move about on the sea in these. Some of their traditional life is lessening though.

The Thai and Burmese governments have tried to get the Moken into the cultures of their countries but it has proved difficult. The Moken live in the Surin Islands and the Phi Phi Islands. With the 2004 tsunami, many of the Moken died but in some regions knowledge of the sea helped the Moken to know the tsunami was arriving and to stay alive.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Oral traditions in Moken culture: "An interesting feature of this people is their pure monotheism, the confession of one Supreme Being, whom they name Tooda, and recognize as the creator of all things. There is also among them a distinct tradition of the deluge."

"After the deluge, of which the Salongs preserve a distinct and unique tradition, God came down from heaven, and assigned to the different nations and tribes of men their habitations and employments. He said to the Salongs, "You are foolish and disobedient. You must not possess gold, silver, domestic animals, houses nor lands. Go, be poor, and hunt fish in water seven fathoms deep."

"The Salongs are a mild and timid race, are credulous and affectionate—and rarely quarrel, unless stimulated by intoxicating drinks. … They have many interesting traditions of a creation and universal deluge. They believe in future rewards and punishments in another state."


Prayer Points

Pray that the Thai and Burmese Christians will give the gospel message to the Moken leading them to salvation.
Pray that the nomadic Moken can be found without too much difficulty.


Scripture Prayers for the Moken, Salon in Myanmar (Burma).


References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moken_people
Oral traditions courtesy of Nick Liguori


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Moken, Salon
People Name in Country Moken, Salon
Natural Name Moken
Population this Country 4,600
Population all Countries 6,800
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
Alternate Names Salone; Salong; Sea Gypsy; Selung
People ID 13769
ROP3 Code 106723
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 14  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country South. Tanintharyi Region, widespread throughout the islands of the Mergui archipelago.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Myanmar (Burma)
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 14  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country South. Tanintharyi Region, widespread throughout the islands of the Mergui archipelago..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 8.00 %)
9.00 %
Ethnic Religions
91.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Moken (4,600 speakers)
Language Code mwt   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Moken (4,600 speakers)
Language Code mwt   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Moken

Primary Language:  Moken

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1913)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2000)
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Moken Jesus Film Project
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source manothegreek 
Profile Source Anonymous  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more