People Group Profiles

“All nations will come and worship before you."

- Revelations 15:4

Mam of United States


People Group Info

Total Population: 70,400

ROP3 Code: 107450
IMB Affinity Group: American Peoples
Affinity Bloc: Latin-Caribbean Americans
People Cluster: Maya
Language: Mam - (mam)
Religion: Ethnic Religions
Country of Origin: Guatemala

Photo courtesy of Joshua Project.

Copyright © International Mission Board-SBC

Majority Located Where

  Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, VA - 1,000

  Columbia, SC - 1,000

  Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL - 100

  Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX - 25

  Holland-Grand Haven, MI - 10

Click here to recommend other locations where this People Group resides.

Learn More

Brief Profile

The Mam are an indigenous Mayan group who have migrated from the mountains of Guatemala and who maintain their pre-Columbian language and culture.

In Guatemala, the majority of Mam reside in and around the nearby modern city of Huehuetenango. A larger percentage also reside in small hamlets in the mountains of Northern Guatemala, keeping many of their native traditions.

Their primary language is Mam, a Mayan language. Many also speak both Spanish.

The primary religion practiced by the Mam is ethnic Mayan religion rooted in the reverence of their ancestors and spirits in nature.

Mayan religion is expressed through traditional rites, customs, and worldview, and conversion to Christianity essentially equates to cultural assimilation.

Prayer Points

  • Pray for Mam believers to boldly proclaim the gospel to their people.
  • Pray that the barriers of traditional Mayan religion would be broken down.
  • Pray for more workers for the harvest, both for the Mam in the United States, as well as those in Guatemala and Mexico.


Learning Resources

Learn more about "Learning Paths"
Online Courses for embracing, encountering and engaging diaspora people. Work at your own pace. Begin anytime and complete the course according to your schedule. Interactive, Hands-On Application.

Learn more about "Reaching the Nations"
This book delineates five disciplines Christians should develop in order to effectively reach the nations. More specifically, it will guide Christians to develop an engagement strategy in their locale.

World Religions - Beliefs Overview
An overview of major world religions and cults - their beliefs and practices.


Other Resources

Prayer Guide for Unreached Peoples
A 30 day guide to pray for unreached people groups.

Prayer Guide using the GOSPELS acronym
A prayer guide that utilizes the acronym GOSPELS to pray for workers among diaspora.

Scripture Earth Resources in Various Mam Dialects
Scripture Earth Resources in Various Mam Dialects

Displaying 1-5 of 5 results.
Country City Metro Area Name State / Prov. Baseline Population
United StatesArlingtonWashington-Arlington-AlexandriaVA1,000
United StatesColumbiaColumbiaSC1,000
United StatesWest Palm BeachMiami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm BeachFL100
United StatesPlanoDallas-Fort Worth-ArlingtonTX25
United StatesHollandHolland-Grand HavenMI10