Nutmeg and seashells are readily available in the area because the Kowiai people are coastal and island-dwellers. At an altitude of less than 100 meters above sea level the Massep people can best be accessed by boat.
Historically when the Kowiai area was ruled by a king the king's spit was used to "water" the garden because it was alledged to have the power to keep pigs and birds away. They also sold Nanesa and Mairasi people to slave traders who came. The Kowiai are reported to have come from Maluku in the mid 1800s and intermarried with Papuans.
For marriage celebrations those invited by the groom's side are to bring something for the wedding. Burial happens within 24 hrs of death after the body is washed by members of the same gender. Burial can turn out to be quite expensive.
The main staple of the Kowiai people is fish and coconuts, but they also eat game. They wear modern clothing although the sarong is sometimes still worn. Within the typical Kowiai home there is a front room and bedrooms only because a structure apart from the home is built for the kitchen. The Kowiai people have machettes, boat motors, and spear guns among other tools. But the Kowiai people have no gospel cassettes, films, or videos in their language.
The Kowiai are sometimes known as the Koiwai, Kaiwai, Kuiwai, Aiduma, Kaymerah, Kajumerah, Adi, Namatota, or Namatote people. They speak Kowiai at home.
Scripture Prayers for the Kaiwai, Adi in Indonesia.
Profile Source: GMI Papua |
People Name General | Kaiwai |
People Name in Country | Kaiwai, Adi |
Alternate Names | Adi; Kowiai |
Population this Country | 3,100 |
Population all Countries | 3,100 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 6 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 12433 |
ROP3 Code | 104433 |
ROP25 Code | 303511 |
ROP25 Name | Kaiwai |
Country | Indonesia | ||
Region | Asia, Southeast | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 33 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Papua Barat Province, Kaimana regency, Bomberai peninsula, south coast; Kamrau bay area, Kaimana, Namatote, and Adi islands, smaller islands in bay: Keroi, Adijaya, Namatota, and Kayumerah villages. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Indonesia |
Region | Asia, Southeast |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 33 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Papua Barat Province, Kaimana regency, Bomberai peninsula, south coast; Kamrau bay area, Kaimana, Namatote, and Adi islands, smaller islands in bay: Keroi, Adijaya, Namatota, and Kayumerah villages.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 3.00 %) |
30.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
5.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
65.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Kowiai | |||
Language Code | kwh Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Kowiai |
Language Code | kwh Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Malay, Papuan | |
People Groups | Speaking Kowiai |
Primary Language: Kowiai
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1985-1986) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
None reported |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | GMI Papua |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |