People
Who they are
The Mro-Khimi live mainly in six townships in northern Rakhine State and also in two in southern Chin State, Myanmar. The name brings together the Mro and Khimi groups, with four dialects and more than a hundred clans.
Of the dialects, Vakung is the most widely used and serves as the basis for literature. All adults speak the people’s language, but many young people speak only Rakhine or Burmese, and the language is considered endangered.
Where they live
1
Country
204K
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
Myanmar (Burma) Partially reached
|
100%
|
203.000 |
How they live
Mro-Khimi communities are in high, forested mountains with few paved roads. In the past, women tied their hair in a knot at the back of the head and men on top of the head, and everyone wore a woven bamboo covering for protection from the rain. Today, ways of life vary according to each community’s faith: Buddhist, animist or Christian.
A linguistic survey in 2012 found villages with speakers of different dialects. Previously, each dialect had been concentrated in a group of villages. As the Mro-Khimi are the second-largest people group in Rakhine State, most also speak some Rakhine and Burmese.
What they believe
In the past, almost all Mro were animists, meaning they practiced a religion centered on spirits, with some Buddhists among them. Today, most Mro in Rakhine are Buddhist, while the Khimi in Chin have more Christians. Many people combine Buddhist and animist practices, including rituals for the nats, the name given to spirits.
The first Mro-Khimi person was baptized in April 1932. In July 1960, evangelists from the Mara people began working among them, and many more churches were established.
The Bible in this people's language
A people only truly understands the gospel when they hear it in the language of their heart. See how far the translation has come.
Mro-Khimi
New Testament complete
- Translation started Done
- Portions Done
- New Testament Current stage
- 4 Whole Bible Still ahead
Audio recordings Available
Jesus Film Available
Translation data: Joshua Project.
Gospel progress among the unreached
Christians (all traditions)7.4%
Evangelicals5%
Needs
The shift in language use among young people calls for attention to how the gospel is communicated and Christian teaching is provided. Care for Mro-Khimi speakers needs to go hand in hand with attention to those who already use Rakhine or Burmese. Churches also need to teach faith in Jesus in communities where rituals directed toward spirits continue. These are needs for teaching and ongoing support for those who already believe.
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
Pray for the Mro-Khimi language to be passed on to new generations.
Pray for the use of the Scriptures in Mro-Khimi in families and churches.
Pray for Christian teaching that is also understandable to young people who speak Rakhine or Burmese.
Pray for Mro-Khimi churches to support believers and teach them to trust in Jesus.
Pray for Mro-Khimi
Intercede for this people alongside Christians around the world.
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