Berau in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The Berau live in many small villages in the Berau regency of East Kalimantan. In the Sambaliung district they live in Sambaliung, Bangun Bebanir, Gurimbang, Tanjung Perangat, Suaran, Rantau Panjang, Pegat Bukur and Tumbit Melayu. In the Gunung Tabur district they live in Gunung Tabur, Birang, Maulang, Samburakat, Pulau Besing, Merancang Ulu and Batubatu. And in the Tali Sayan district they live in Biatan Ilir, Biatan Ulu, Biatan Lempak, Biatan Bapinang, Karangan, Tabalar Muara, Tabalar Ulu and Tubaan. The Berau speak their own language, which differentiates them from other ethnic groups in East Kalimantan.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Berau mainly make their living as either farmers or fishermen. The farmers grow sweet potatoes, cassava, lentils, fruits and vegetables. Like other Kalimantan ethnic groups in general, the Berau practice migratory agriculture (shifting from one field to another) mainly because they cannot maintain the soil's fertility. New farmland is opened by cutting down trees and burning the underbrush. The initial clearing of a field is accomplished with the help of a large group of neighbors. This farming method is often accused of being the main cause of forest fires in Kalimantan. Even though their actions do cause damage, it is not comparable to the destruction done by businessmen who hold "Forest Enterprise Rights" from the government. Some Berau living in cities work for government or private businesses. Others work as craftsmen or day laborers. The Berau also produce a handicraft of specially woven fabric, which they often sell to outsiders. A new form of income that has developed recently is the presenting of their traditional ceremonies as a tourist attraction. Most of the Berau follow the patrilineal kinship system (tracing descent from the father). Male superiority and dominance is seen in every aspect of life. The men determine issues concerning marriage and inheritance. In the past, the Berau had class distinctions but these have faded in modern times. Today, wealth and formal education are determiners of one's social status. The richer a person is or the higher a person's formal education, the higher their social standing. In general, the Berau prefer to live in groups near rivers in wooden raised platform houses. Their houses are close together, like in the city, even though there is plenty of land where they live. They have a clear separation between living areas and fields. Like the Melayu, the Berau in general are friendly and follow the Islamic faith.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Today most Berau identify themselves as Muslims. However, many Berau people still believe in animism, believing that spirits are in all places and influence mankind. Thus, traditional Berau rituals and ceremonies focus on seeking protection through magic by either appeasing or controlling both good and bad spirits. A shaman plays an important role in Berau society and is often asked to use spells to heal sicknesses or initiate other favorable results in people's lives.


What Are Their Needs?

Since the Berau are nomadic, most of them do not have opportunities for a formal education. Typically, only those who are settled receive a formal education. The areas where the Berau live are rich in mining resources, such as gold, coal, lead, zinc, petroleum and natural gas. These areas also have forestry products like rattan, resin and wood. Unfortunately, the abundant natural resources have not been managed optimally, so they do not provide the Berau with a better life. For this reason, better management efforts are needed to improve their human resources and help them become self-sufficient.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Berau in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   IPN, 2011   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

People Name General Berau
People Name in Country Berau
Alternate Names Costal; Malay, Berau; Merau; Merau Malay
Population this Country 23,000
Population all Countries 23,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 13439
ROP3 Code 106151
ROP25 Code 301085
ROP25 Name Berau (Merau)
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 Kalimantan Timur Province; central coastal area; north, Cape Pandan, Tanjungreder, and Muaramalinau towns on lower Segah river; south along Celebes Sea coast past Sepinang town to Cape Batube area.   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 Kalimantan Timur Province; central coastal area; north, Cape Pandan, Tanjungreder, and Muaramalinau towns on lower Segah river; south along Celebes Sea coast past Sepinang town to Cape Batube area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Berau in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.09 %)
0.09 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.91 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Malay, Berau (23,000 speakers)
Language Code bve   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malay, Berau (23,000 speakers)
Language Code bve   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Malay, Berau

Primary Language:  Malay, Berau

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source IPN, 2011  Copyrighted ©  Used with permission 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.