The Pancana (also known as the Kapontori) are located in the southeastern part of the island of Sulawesi, south of the Mekonga Mountains. Their language, which is also called Pancana, is a part of the Austronesian language family. Linguistically, the Pancana are closely related to the Cia-Cia and the Muna. Little is known about their specific lifestyle and culture, but it is assumed that the Pancana are very similar to their close neighbors, the Muna, the Bingkokak, and the Maronene.
For the Pancana, maize grown in swiddens (land cleared by "slashing and burning") is the staple crop, but sweet potatoes, sugarcane, vegetables, tobacco, and coffee are also grown. Their house are generally made of woven grasses and have very high roofs. Pancana marriage customs require payments to the girl's family at the time of engagement and again at the wedding. The amount of the bride-price depends on the social rank of the young man but is required to serve a probationary period with his prospective parents-in-law prior to marriage and this requirement gives rise to a high degree of elopement.
The Pancana are virtually all Sunni Muslims. However, traditional beliefs are still very important, especially the belief in evil spirits.
The Pancana have no Christian resources available in their own language, and there are no missions agencies currently working among them. There is a great need for the Bible and other materials to be translated into their language. Intercession is the key to seeing the Pancana won to Christ. 
