Ayamaru, Brat in Indonesia

The Ayamaru, Brat have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Ayamaru Brat or Maibrat are indigenous people found only in Indonesia. They speak a "language isolate" which means their language (Mai Brat) is not related to any other language family. The Ayamaru live in the central region of the Bird's Head Peninsula of the island of New Guinea in the nation of Indonesia. The land they live on is classified as tropical rain forest on the slopes of mountains on the peninsula.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ayamaru practice "slash and burn" agriculture. They cut down the trees and vegetation on a plot of land. Then they burn the remaining plant to produce a type of fertilizer. Once the soil is exhausted, they move on to another plot of land and do the same thing until it too is exhausted. The main crops of the Maibrat are rice, copra (dried coconuts), corn, and peanuts. They also hunt and fish to supplement their diets.
The Brat live in small villages ruled by the heads of families or elders. Most now speak Bahasa, the Indonesian national language as well as their own language of Mai Brat. They trade their crops of peanuts and copra to obtain things that they cannot make for themselves like metal tools and solar panels.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of the Ayamaru are animists. They believe that spirits inhabit parts of nature such as trees, rocks, rivers, the sky, mountains and animals. The spirits must be appeased by sacrifices, rituals and charms or they can bring harm to the people. Each village has a shaman who connects the Brat to the spirit world. The Ayamaru also ask the shaman to deal with their medical needs. A small minority of the Ayamaru are believers. A New Testament in Mai Brat became available in 2007.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ayamaru need agricultural experts to teach them how to farm their land more effectively since their slash and burn method damages the plants and animals of their environment. They also need medical teams to teach them healthcare principles and take care of medical needs.
Many Ayamaru are illiterate. Teachers can help the Brat learn how to read and write Ma Bbrat and Bahasa.


Prayer Points

Ask God to grow the small group of Ayamaru believers in their faith. Pray for wisdom to leave behind the ways of spiritual darkness and allow the gospel to transform their culture.
Ask the Holy Spirit to work signs and wonders through the Ayamaru believers to open the minds of others to the gospel.
Ask God to raise up Bible believing pastors and church leaders who can teach the Ayamaru the Word of God.
Ask God to send teams of believers come and help the Ayamaru in the areas of agriculture, healthcare, and education.
Pray for a movement to Christ that will see disciples and churches multiply through generations.


Scripture Prayers for the Ayamaru, Brat in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ayamaru
People Name in Country Ayamaru, Brat
Alternate Names Brat; Maibrat
Population this Country 96,000
Population all Countries 96,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 10516
ROP3 Code 100659
ROP25 Code 300610
ROP25 Name Ayamaru (Brat)
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Papua Barat Province, about 40 villages. Central Bird’s Head, area around Ayamaru lakes.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Papua Barat Province, about 40 villages. Central Bird’s Head, area around Ayamaru lakes..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Ayamaru, Brat in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.80 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
95.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
1.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mai Brat
Language Code ayz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Malay, Papuan
Primary Language Mai Brat
Language Code ayz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Malay, Papuan
People Groups Speaking Mai Brat

Primary Language:  Mai Brat

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1990-2000)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2004-2007)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Mai Brat Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Mai Brat YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Mai Brat YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Denis Gabriel Kutanggas - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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