LOCATION : Northern part of the two small islands that lie to the southeast of Sulawesi
POPULATION : 120,000
LANGUAGE : Tomini (Tiadje)
PEOPLE CLUSTER : Tukangbesi
RELIGION : Muslim
% OF CHRISTIANITY : 0%
SCRIPTURE : none
RADIO BROADCAST : none
JESUS FILM : none
GOSPEL AUDIO RECORDING : available
MISSION AGENCY / CHURCH PLANTING WORKING AMONG THEM: 0

The Tukangbesi of Indonesia are located o­n two small islands that lie to the southeast of Sulawesi. The term "Utara" means north and refers to those living o­n the northern island. They are close neighbors to the Wolio (also known as the Butonese) and the Muna. Their language, which they call Tukan-Besi, is a member of the Austronesian language family and is closely related to Cia-Cia. Around the fifteenth century, migrants from Johore established the kingdom of Buton. This kingdom included the Tukangbesi Islands and was ruled by a raja, or king. In 1540, the sixth raja converted to Islam, making him the first sultan and his kingdom, a sultanate. The sultanate of Buton remained independent until the death of the last sultan in 1960. At that time, the sultanate was dissolved and finally integrated with the nation of Indonesia. This union, however, resulted in a loss of tradition o­n the islands.

The Tukangbesi base much of their livelihood o­n agriculture, since the soil of the islands is very fertile. The main crops grown are corn, dry rice, and cassava. Many Tukangbesi are also fishermen or boat-builders. However, since economic opportunities are lacking, many sail away to faraway islands to earn money in commercial enterprise or labor. Seafaring is considered men's work, along with ironworking, boat building, brass and silver manufacturing, and most of working the fields. Pottery, weaving, preparing meals, doing domestic work, and managing the family's money are the women's primary jobs. Tukangbesi houses are raised above ground and built of sturdy planks. Most villages have markets where woven silk, cotton, and other fabrics are traded. Many villages also have small stores, and peddlers may be seen selling various items. Most marriages today are monogamous (one husband, o­ne wife). Although parents are involved in the arrangement of the marriages, the young people are free to choose their partners. Education is highly valued for both boys and girls in Tukangbesi society. This emphasis o­n education has caused their literary art to flourish, resulting in the writing of books and long poems which have become a part of Tukangbesi culture. Knowledge of foreign languages is also encouraged, and many Tukangbesi are improving their positions in society.

Today, 95% of the Tukangbesi Utara are Muslims, but the belief in various supernatural beings plays a role in village life. Such beings include guardian spirits, harvest spirits, evil spirits who cause illness, and helpful spirits who give guidance. Ancestor spirits are thought to help their living relatives or cause illnesses, depending o­n the behavior of the relatives. Tukangbesi also consider nature to be the material form of God's creation and, therefore, glorify it. Sufism (a mystic form of Islam) also exists among the Tukangbesi. Sufis believe that meditation may result in a vision of Allah, or special inner knowledge directly from Allah. Many also believe in reincarnation as a result of lingering Hindu beliefs.

The Tukangbesi have no Christian resources available to them in their own language. Also, no missions agencies are currently working among them. Intercession and evangelism are still needed in order to penetrate this group with the good news of Jesus.

PRAYER POINTS

links to related information: www.joshuaproject.net , http://www.bethanynorth.com/profiles/profile1.html