East Makian in Indonesia

The East Makian have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Makian Timur (East Makian), also called the Makian Dalam (Inner Makian), live on the east coast of the island of Makian. The rest of the island is inhabited by the Makian Barat (West Makian or Outer Makian). Makian is part of the province of North Maluku. The Maluku Islands, historically called the "Spice Islands," consist of over one thousand islands scattered throughout eastern Indonesia. They include most of the islands between Sulawesi and Papua and between Timor and the Philippines. The Makian Timur people can also be found in small communities on the islands of Bacan, Obi and Mori Kayoa. The islands on which the Makian live have many volcanoes, one of which is Kei Besi, which has erupted several times. Its sudden eruption in 1975 claimed many lives and caused the government to evacuate residents near the volcano to Malifut on Halmahera Island. In the past, most observers classified the Makian as one people group with one language consisting of two dialects. However, careful linguistic analysis has shown that the West Makian language, Jitinee, is par of the West Papuan language cluster, while the East Makian language, Tabayama, is part of the Austronesiam language cluster. The Makian Timur language is part of a larger linguistic grouping called the South Halmahera which also includes the Gane, Buli, Maba, Patani, Sawai and Irarutu.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Makian Timur are farmers. Since their land is not appropriate for growing rice, their primary crops are corn and bananas. Infertile land (called jerame) is generally left to lie fallow for as long as 7-10 years. Such land becomes available for use by anyone who wishes, until the owner returns to work it again. The Makian Timur also cultivate coconuts, which are processed to become copra. The Makian Timur who live on Halmahera and other islands mostly work as fishermen, using fishing rods and hooks, dragnets, or large bamboo fish traps. The social system of the Makian Timur is a clan system, in which each family line in known as a soa. Individuals must marry someone from outside their soa. Traditionally, a new couple lives in the neighborhood of the husband's family.


What Are Their Beliefs?

As Muslims, the Makian Timur practice rites such as circumcision, prayer services at the mosque and fasting during the month of Ramadan. Traditional beliefs about the supernatural realm, however, have a powerful influence on their daily lives. The shaman is a powerful figure in Makian Timur communities. Islam was brought to the Makian Timur through a man named Mohamad Arzad, a Minangkabau Muslim from West Sumatra. He married the daughter of the Makian king and they had four children, named Torano, Bangsa, Um Imam and Sangaji.


What Are Their Needs?

The Makian Timur need better means of sea transportation, in order to expedite their trade and relationships with the communities of the neighboring islands. Formal and informal education is also needed to increase their income and improve their quality of life.


Prayer Points

Pray the Makian would see they can enjoy abundant life if they put their trust in Jesus Christ.
Pray for the Lord to intervene in their families, calling people to his side and blessing them in every way.
Pray for loving workers.
Pray for their hearts to be drawn to the Lord of lords.
Pray for a church planting movement to thrive in their communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Makian, East in Indonesia.


References

IPN, 2011 Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Makian, East
People Name in Country Makian, East
Natural Name East Makian
Alternate Names East Makianese
Population this Country 35,000
Population all Countries 35,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 13423
ROP3 Code 106091
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 Maluku Utara Province, Kota Tidore Kepaluan regency, Halmahera island, west coast, nearby east Makian, south Mori, Kayoa, Bacan, and Obi islands.   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 Maluku Utara Province, Kota Tidore Kepaluan regency, Halmahera island, west coast, nearby east Makian, south Mori, Kayoa, Bacan, and Obi islands..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Makian, East in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
20.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
80.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Makian, East (35,000 speakers)
Language Code mky   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Makian, East (35,000 speakers)
Language Code mky   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Makian, East

Primary Language:  Makian, East

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
General Language Learning Phrasebook They Need the Bible
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: WLMS. 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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