June 2004: This page is being reconstructed with new information.
The information on this page may no longer be accurate.
AMPANANG OF INDONESIA
LOCATION : east of Central Kalimantan, southeast of Tunjung city
POPULATION : 30,000
LANGUAGE : Ampanang
PEOPLE CLUSTER : Barito people
RELIGION : Traditional beliefs or Dayak beliefs, Spiritism
% OF CHRISTIANITY : 0%
SCRIPTURE : None
RADIO BROADCAST : None
JESUS FILM : None
GOSPEL AUDIO RECORDING : None
CHURCH PLANTING TEAM/ MISSION AGENCY WORKING AMONG THEM: None
The Ampanang people group lives just east of Central Kalimantan, southeast of the city of Tunjung, not far from the cities of Jambu and Lamper. Kalimantan, meaning "River of Diamonds," is the name for the Indonesian two-thirds of the island of Borneo (Malaysia and Brunei control the other one-third.). They are one of the people groups in the Barito cluster which is part of the larger Dayak ethno-linguistic cluster.
The primary means of livelihood for the Ampanang include hunting, gathering forest products, fishing, farming and trade. Although most Ampanang live by rivers, there are also those who live in areas far from any river. Their culture is intertwined with their belief in unseen spirits. In the same way, the arts and various other activities are incorporated into their belief system. They also uphold various traditional ceremonies. These ceremonies include matchmaking and engagement, marriage, pregnancy, birth, healing of a sickness and burial. Ritual ceremonies are also often observed during the time of celebrating their important holidays.
Generally the Ampanang people are followers of the traditional Dayak beliefs, called Kaharingan. In addition, some are also followers of the Nyuli belief. The focus of the Nyuli teaching is that there is a resurrection after death (Suli). According to Nyuli teaching, Bukit Lumut releases the departed spirit. Such a spirit then returns to their village, bringing something from eternity that can be used to improve the condition of the world. They also give praise to the spirits of their ancestors (duwata). Each Ampanang family has a place of worship for their own duwata in their house. This place of worship is usually called kunau. They also use a pangantuhu, a piece of human bone, as a tool to call departed ancestors.
Recently, there has been significant change in the life, traditions, worldview, and community systems of the Ampanang. This has occurred in conjunction with their greater mobility and contact with the outside world, and their new openness to outsiders. They need formal education. They also need to develop their skills in order to face the changes they are experiencing. Sufficient education and skill improvement can help them rise above poverty. Improvement in health is also still greatly needed.
PRAYER POINTS
- Ask the Lord to send anointed and qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Ampanang language.
- Pray that God will strengthen and encourage the small number of believers living among the Ampanang. Pray for His protection over them from any forms of physical harm.
- Pray that God will raise up qualified laborers, educators, medical teams and social workers who can effectively cross the cultural barriers and be able to help meet their needs and establish good relationship among the Ampanang.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to the Ampanang that their Animistic belief is a religion of death, but that believing in Christ will give them life.
- Pray that the non-ampanang Christians from their neighboring areas will be given open doors and opportunities to share Christ with the Ampanang.
Links to related information: www.1040window.org , www.joshuaproject.net
