June 2004: This page is being reconstructed with new information.
The information on this page may no longer be accurate.
KAUR OF INDONESIA
LOCATION : southwestern shores and mountain slopes of the Bengkulu province in Sumatra
POPULATION : 100,000
LANGUAGE : Kaur
PEOPLE CLUSTER : Pasemah
RELIGION : Ethnic religionist 100%, some are Islamized animist
% OF CHRISTIANITY : 0%
SCRIPTURE : None
RADIO BROADCAST : None
JESUS FILM : None
GOSPEL AUDIO RECORDING : available
MISSION AGENCY / CHURCH PLANTING WORKING AMONG THEM: 2
The Kaur live along the extreme southwestern shores and mountain slopes of the province of Bengkulu in Sumatra. Kaur villages face westward, looking across the Indian Ocean toward Madagascar. Their district capital is the city of Bintuhan, through which the trans-Sumatran highway passes on its way to Jakarta, 12 hours away. The Kaur speak a language that is also called Kaur, and they are sometimes referred to as orang Mulak ("Mulak people"). The three southernmost districts of the province are named after them: North, Central, and South Kaur districts. Most of the inhabitants of North Kaur are the Pasemah from the other side of the Bukit Barisan Mountains. The Pasemah began migrating among the Kaur about 75 years ago. The southernmost Kaur have mixed with the Krui, who were included in a region once administrated by officials in Bengkulu City.
The Kaur are a very tightly knit ethnic group. They work, worship, and celebrate all aspects of life as an integrated cultural family. Most of the Kaur make their living as wet-rice farmers, but many of them also grow cloves, sugar-palm, and aloe-wood trees. Other major crops include timber, peanuts, coffee, coconut, pepper, rubber, resin, rattan, sweet potatoes, and fruits. Both river and ocean fish are major sources of revenue for the Kaur. They also raise animals such as cows, buffalo, chickens, ducks, goats, and sheep. In addition, they make wood and rattan furniture and weave an assortment of fabric and rattan goods. They are also known to make farming tools and to repair electrically and manually driven machinery. For many years, Kaur products have been sold in Lampung and Jakarta.
There is no indication that any of the Kaur have ever accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. One reason for this is their inaccessibility before recently built roads opened the area to the outside world. Another reason is the combined religious and government-enforced opposition to Christianity. Since the 1600's, the Kaur have been Sunni Muslims, participating in all of the standard Muslim celebrations. However, their animistic beliefs are so intertwined with Islam that they are considered to be "Islamized" animists. One evidence of this mixture of religions can be seen in the sedekah, an important communal meal held for various reasons like celebrating a birth or commemorates a death, other times to request rainfall or give thanks for good cropsand still other times to cleanse a village of moral evil or to repel the devil or imminent danger. On all these occasions, the Koran is quoted, and prayers are said in Arabic. As animists, the Kaur still frequent the dukun ("medicine man") during times of loss and sickness. They also perform rice ritual ceremonies designed to ensure that the "rice spirit" is properly honored. Sometimes they visit old graves regarded as sacred. At these places, they may sacrifice a goat, hoping that the ancestral spirit will grant their wishes. They fear the ma'sumai, the fierce human-like tiger that transforms itself to entice unwitting victims.
The physical needs of the Kaur are many. They lack opportunities necessary for expanding their job skills. In addition, they need practical guidance to help develop their communities and land. The lack of availability of electricity and water continues to inhibit development in some areas. Spiritually, their needs are even greater. They desperately need an understanding of the Gospel in a culturally relevant context. They also need a translation of the Jesus Film and the New Testament in their own language. Above all, the Kaur need exposure to genuine, loving Christians who are willing to live and work among them.
PRAYER POINTS
- Ask the Lord to send loving Christians who can share practical skills with the Kaur of Indonesia.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give creative ideas for evangelism to the missions agencies that are targeting the Kaur.
- Pray that the Bible and the Jesus film will be translated into the Kaur language.
- Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Kaur through dreams and visions.
- Ask God to save key leaders among the Kaur who will openly declare Jesus as Lord.
- Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Kaur bound.
- Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
- Pray that strong local churches will be planted among the Kaur.
links to related information: www.joshuaproject.net , http://www.bethanynorth.com/profiles/profile1.html
