People group profile · PG050328
The Northern Mam of Guatemala
The Northern Mam of Guatemala, numbering about 340,000 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a Mayan people of Guatemala's western highlands whose Mam-speaking ancestors ruled the pre-Columbian kingdom of Zaculeu for some 2,600 years, contesting territory with the K'iche' before Spanish forces subdued them in 1525.
They are an indigenous people in the Maya people cluster of the Latin American and Caribbean Peoples. Their primary religion is Folk Catholicism, and they primarily speak Mam.
Fast facts
- Country
- Guatemala
- Population
- 340,000
- Affinity group
- American Peoples
- People cluster
- Maya
- Primary language
- Mam (mam)
- Primary religion
- Folk Catholicism
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 5% or Greater but Less than 10%
- GSEC
- 5% or Greater but Less than 10% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Marginally Reached People Group
- Region
- Central America, Americas
- Location
- Huehuetenango department: San Sebastián and other towns; Quetzaltenango and Retalhuleu departments; San Marcos department: Ixchiguán, San Juan Ostuncalco, San Martín Sacatepéquez, Sibinal, Tectitán. Dialects in San Miguel Ixtahuacán (18,000) and Concepci
Where they live
Gospel status
The Northern Mam are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 5% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Northern Mam
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Folk Catholicism · Christianity
86% adherents
Primary language
Mam · Mayan family
70% speak Mam
Gospel resources in Mam
- Bible available, published 2013
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- 1980 Bible Society of Guatemala · audio
- 1993 Bible Society of Guatemala · audio
- 2000 Wycliffe Bible Translators · video, audio, text
- 2008 Wycliffe Bible Translators Inc. · audio, text
- 2009 Bible Society of Guatemala · audio
- Asociación Educativa y Cultural Maya · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Northern Mam
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
Mam, Northern in other countries
The same people (ROP3 107450) is reported in 2 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mam | United States | 79,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Mam | Mexico | 17,500 | No Longer Unreached |
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