Jimajima, Dima in Papua New Guinea

The Jimajima, Dima have only been reported in Papua New Guinea
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Jimajima Dima people are an indigenous community residing in the southeastern peninsula of mainland Papua New Guinea in a remote part of Milne Bay Province. Their name translates to "people of the mountains." The Jimajima Dima people have a unique culture and a history that has been passed down through generations. The Dima area is coastal and low-lying grassland, much of which becomes swampy during the rainy season. The coast is hedged in with mangroves. Inland there is a plain of grass-covered hills containing many swampy areas filled with various trees and palms. The area is fairly isolated; it takes three days motorized boat travel to reach.

Only Audio Recordings currently exist in the Dima language. A Bible translation into Dima is needed.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Jimajima Dima people have a subsistence lifestyle, which revolves around agriculture and hunting. Their primary crops are sweet potatoes, taro, and yams, which are cultivated in small-scale gardens. Hunting and fishing are also significant components of their diet, and they rely on the forests and rivers for game and fish. The Dima have a reputation as providers of meat, especially bandicoot and wallaby.

One of the most significant ceremonies of the Jimajima Dima people is the Sing-Sing, which is held annually. This event brings together different clans and tribes from the surrounding areas to celebrate their culture through music, dance, and art. The Sing-Sing is a colorful and vibrant event, where performers wear intricate costumes and masks to represent the spirits and deities. There is a tradition of

competitive feasting between Dima clans and with some neighboring language groups, in which each village attempts to provide the pig with the largest girth.

The Jimajima Dima people have faced numerous challenges in recent years, including land disputes and environmental degradation. The construction of a major highway through their traditional lands has resulted in the displacement of some community members and the loss of important cultural and natural resources.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Dima claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. The Jimajima Dima people's traditional belief system is based on animism, which is the belief that all things, including animals, plants, and rocks, have a soul. They believe in a complex network of spirits and deities that govern their lives and the world around them. Their religion is deeply intertwined with their culture, and they hold ceremonies to appease the spirits and seek their guidance.


What Are Their Needs?

The Dima are many physical and spiritual needs. They need teachers to help them learn literacy skills. They need access to the blessings of modern medicine. Most of all, they must be trained in the ways of the Lord. They need to learn and apply the principles of the word of God.


Prayer Points

Pray that soon the Bible will be available in the Dima language.

Pray that the Dima would learn literacy skills so they can make full use of the Bible.

Pray the Lord raises up trained, mature pastors for the Dima church.

Pray that the Dima would be willing to share their faith with other peoples of PNG.


Scripture Prayers for the Jimajima, Dima in Papua New Guinea.


References

The National Research Institute 2010, Papua New Guinea District and Provincial Profiles, link here.

National Economic & Fiscal Commission 2014, Go Long Ples Reducing inequality in education funding, A Report by the National Economic & Fiscal Commission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Jimajima
People Name in Country Jimajima, Dima
Alternate Names Dima
Population this Country 1,400
Population all Countries 1,400
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 12357
ROP3 Code 104270
ROP25 Code 303388
ROP25 Name Jimajima
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Milne Bay province: east of Moi bay coast almost to Posaposa Harbor; Ruaba river area.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Milne Bay province: east of Moi bay coast almost to Posaposa Harbor; Ruaba river area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

No people group map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.



Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 8.00 %)
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Dima (1,400 speakers)
Language Code jma   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Dima (1,400 speakers)
Language Code jma   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Dima

Primary Language:  Dima

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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