Maria, Manubara in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

A small population of people who speak Maria (and its seven dialects!) are spread throughout the Abau and Rigo districts of Central Province, with a few in Oro Province. Maria is used for face-to-face communication by all generations, so the language is not endangered. Thank God that around one in four can read with comprehension across the districts where Maria speakers live.
Thank God that multilingual Maria speakers can access God's word in English, Tok Pisin, Motu and Sinaugoro (including in audio formats). However, older folk, very young children and those based in the villages may not know these languages.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The dry coastal plains of Rigo and Abau are poor for agriculture, however people are able to raise a few crops to sell. The Magi Highway connects them to Port Moresby, which is good for getting products to markets, but parts of the highway are impassable during the rainy season. Some people live close enough to the capital to commute there for jobs.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most are Christian.

What Are Their Needs?

The Maria people need to find better ways to earn a living since they live on poor agricultural land.

Prayer Points

Pray that Maria people who can understand Tok Pisin or English Bibles will take God's word to heart and share it with their people.
Pray that Maria speakers will soon be able to access God's word in their own language. Pray that God's word would dwell in them richly.

Text Source:   Joshua Project