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June 2004: This page is being reconstructed with new information.
The information on this page may no longer be accurate.
TOMINI OF INDONESIA
LOCATION : northwestern peninsular of Sulawesi
POPULATION : 44,000
LANGUAGE : Tomini (Tiadje)
PEOPLE CLUSTER : Kaili / Tomini
RELIGION : Muslim (Sunni) 89%, Ethnic religionist 10%
% OF CHRISTIANITY : 1%
SCRIPTURE : none
RADIO BROADCAST : none
JESUS FILM : none
GOSPEL AUDIO RECORDING : none
MISSION AGENCY / CHURCH PLANTING WORKING AMONG THEM: 2
The Tomini live on the northwestern peninsula of Sulawesi, the most mountainous island of Indonesia. The Tomini speak many different languages. However, recent research has discovered that each group actually speaks its own distinct language. The Tomini?s cultural history can be divided into four periods: the coming of Islam, the Dutch colonial period, the Japanese invasion during World War II, and Indonesia?s declaration of independence in 1945. Because the Tomini were bypassed by the Dutch missionaries, they have remained strong in their Islamic character.
Traditionally, the Tomini?s state was governed by a Sultanate, meaning that each tribe was headed by a hereditary chief and his assistants. Four classes of people emerged: the royal lineage, the nobility, the commoners, and the former slaves. The coastal Tomini produce crops such as clove (used as a spice) and copra (dried coconut meat). Some earn their living as traders, and others as lumberjacks or sailors. The Tomini living in the mountains grow dry rice, and maize (Indian corn). They also gather rattan (a type of wood used in making walking sticks and other wickerwork) for trade along the coast. Tomini villages are characterized by small houses that are built on stilts. These are mainly located along the coastal strips of the island. Marriages follow a Muslim pattern. It is acceptable for cousins to marry; and polygamy is also allowed, though not often practiced. Once married, a couple usually lives with their extended family, often until the first child is born.
The Tomini are mainly Sunni Muslim, a branch of Islam that adheres to orthodox tradition. However, many are less strict in their Islamic practices than are the Muslims in other Arab countries. In isolated areas of Sulawesi, some Tomini still follow ancient local religions by mixing ancestor and nature worship with Islam and Christianity. In the inland mountain areas, there are also groups who practice animism. They believe that nature and inanimate objects have spirits. The animist population of Tomini is known as suku terasing, meaning foreign tribes.
The Bible has not yet been translated into the Tomini language. Although there are 442 known Tomini believers, there are no Christian broadcasts or resources available to encourage church growth or evangelism. Two mission agencies are currently working among them, yet an overwhelming majority has never heard the Gospel.
PRAYER POINTS
- Pray against the spirits of Islam and animism that have kept the Tomini bound for many generations.
- Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to Indonesia and share Christ with the Tomini.
- Pray for the two mission agencies to have wisdom in reaching the Muslims of Sulawesi.
- Ask God to strengthen, encourage, and protect the small number of Tomini Christians.
- Pray that God will raise up qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Tomini language.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Tomini towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
- Pray that God will open the hearts of Indonesia?s governmental leaders to the Gospel.
- Ask the Lord to raise up a strong local church among the Tomini.
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Last
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06 June, 2006 |
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