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Seit-Kaitetu |
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People Group: |
Seit-Kaitetu |
 |
| Location: |
Indonesia |
| Population: |
12,000 |
| Religion: |
Islam |
| % Christian: |
5.0% |
| % Evangelical: |
Unknown |
| Ministry
Resources: |
No evangelical
Christians or churches. No access to major evangelical print,
audio, visual, or human resources |
|
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Total People Group
Population: |
12,000 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
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Additional Information:
Who are the Seit-Keitetu?
 The
Seit-Kaitetu live on the north coast of the island of Ambon in the
adjacent villages of Seit and Kaitetu in the district of Leihitu,
Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province. The provinces of North Maluku
and Maluku were created from the province of Maluku in 1999. The
villages of Seit and Kaitetu have electricity and can be reached by
road. Transportation to the Seit-Kaitetu area is available both by land
and by sea. General transportation is available several times a day to
the city of Ambon.The Maluku Islands, historically called the Spice
Islands, are a string of over one thousand islands scattered over the
eastern portion of Indonesia. They include most of the islands between
Sulawesi and New Guinea and between Timor and the Philippines.Two
dialects are spoken, Seit and Kaitetu. The village of Kaitetu is the
site of the oldest mesjid (mosque) on Ambon, built in 1414. The
neighboring village of Hila was the site of the oldest church on Ambon,
built in 1780. Unfortunately, recent ethnic, social and religious
conflict resulted in the destruction of the church.
What are their lives like?
The socio-cultural and economic life of the Seit-Kaitetu is very similar
to villages around them, generally well ordered and well regulated. The
Seit-Kaitetu people derive their income primarily from farming and
fishing. Crops include sago, clove, nutmeg, and coffee. Before going to
sea, the fishermen will first pray to God for blessings and protection.
The fish they catch are used for daily needs, and the excess is sold.
Some of the fish most commonly caught include cakalang, tangiri, momar,
silapa, lalosi, and kawalinya. From the villages of Luhu, Iha-Kulur, and
Asilulu, the catch is primarily sold to Hitu and Ambon.To supplement
their income, the Seit-Kaitetu sometimes obtain and shape animal
materials such as eggshells or clamshells to make brooches, outfits, and
women's jewelry. They also are used to make wall decorations and
souvenirs of various sizes and shapes.
What do they believe?
Most Seit-Kaitetu adhere to Islam. As followers of Islam, they believe
they will be judged based on their good deeds and their knowledge of the
Qur'an (Islamic Holy Book). However, many Seit-Kaitetu are still very
much afraid to break with traditional practices and animistic beliefs.
They mix traditional cultural practices and Islamic teachings in many of
their events, such as weddings, circumcisions, the inauguration of a
king, and the building of mosques (mesjid).
What are their needs?
In recent years, outside provocateurs have sparked a deadly cycle of
violence and revenge between the various ethnic groups on Ambon. The
fighting in the region has shattered the region's many infrastructures,
such as schools, homes, markets and places of worship. Education has
been severely curtailed, with buildings damaged and burned, teachers
afraid to teach, and parents afraid to send their children to school.
Peace, order, and restoration of the shattered island are desperately
needed, and institutions must be rebuilt.
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