June 2004: This page is being discontinued.
This people group is no longer on our least reached list.
ENREKANG OF INDONESIA
LOCATION : foothills around the regencies of Enrekang and Pinrang province, South Sulawesi
POPULATION : 50,000
LANGUAGE : Enrekang
PEOPLE CLUSTER : Bugis
RELIGION : faithful Muslims
% OF CHRISTIANITY : 3%
SCRIPTURE : None
RADIO BROADCAST : None
JESUS FILM : None
GOSPEL AUDIO RECORDING : None
CHURCH PLANTING TEm / MISSION AGENCY WORKING AMONG THEM: 0
The Enrekang people are also known as the Endekan or East Endekan lived in the foothills around the regencies of Enrekang and Pinrang, in the province of South Sulawesi. They are closely related to the Duri and Malimpung peoples. The culture of the Enrekang has been influenced by its larger neighbors, namely the Toraja and Bugis people. The languages of Toraja and Bugis have influenced the Enrekang language and consequently there are many similarities.
The primary means of livelihood for the Enrekang people is farming. They primarily grow rice (which is also their primary food), fruits, and gula aren (sugar palms which are processed into sugar). They also raise domesticated livestock such as water buffalo, goats, and chickens to fulfill their needs. Small farmers take care of the land and look after the crops until harvest time. Many Enrekang marriages are still arranged by the parents and family elders. After their marriage a new couple lives with the wife?s family and may move to live in their own house after they are fairly well established. The traditional Enrekang house is raised on stilts that are three meters high as protection from attacks by wild animals. Both the walls and floors of the house are made from wooden planks. The enclosure below the house can also be used as a stall for livestock or as a storehouse. Often, burial ceremonies are still performed inside caves in the mountain slopes for the purpose of freeing the spirit of the deceased and giving the spirit power to move to the next world.
The Enrekang are faithful Muslims. Thus they believe that they will be judged according to their knowledge of the Qur?an (Islamic Holy Book) as well as the balance between their good and bad deeds. The laws of traditional culture are still used and has been combined with Islamic law. Despite their loyalty to Islam, many are still influenced by animistic beliefs and superstitions. These beliefs are focused on the quest for protection through magic, by either appeasing or controlling both good and bad spirits.
Agriculture in the Enrekang area is considered to be less than promising and as a result many Enrekang people leave the area to work as laborers in the cities and towns throughout Sulawesi and other parts of Indonesia. A greater range of jobs is the primary need in this area.
PRAYER POINTS
- Ask the Lord to send qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Enrekang language.
- Pray that God will strengthen and encourage the small number of believers living among the Enrekang. Pray for His protection over them from physical harm.
- Pray that God will raise up qualified laborers who can effectively cross the Muslim cultural barriers.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to the Enrekang that Islam and their traditional belief is a religion of death, but that believing in Christ will give them life.
- Pray that the hostility towards Christians will cease and that they will be allowed to freely preach the Gospel.
- Pray that the non- Enrekang Christians living in Sulawesi will be given open doors and opportunities to share Christ with the Enrekang.
links to related information: www.joshuaproject.net , www.1040window.org
