The Oya 'oya people live on the coast along the eastern end of the peninsula south of Milne Bay. They generally live in many small hamlets, rather than larger villages.
Their diet consists primarily of fish and yams, but most people also grow a cash crop such as copra or betel nut. Houses are made from sago palms, with black palm floors, and are built on posts about 2 meters above the ground. Most people wear western-style clothing bought at second hand stores in Alotau.
Around 1918 the Kwato church, the largest denomination in the area, was brought to the Oya 'oya area by Charles William Abel. Kwato churches became non-operational during WWII, at which time people were forced to move to other areas, but Kwato churches later reopened after the war, when they were joined by Catholic churches. Though many Oya 'oya people now profess Christianity and some attend church, there appears to be a lack of understanding of the gospel, and many people still practice magic and sorcery.
Although there is Scripture in Suau, a neighboring language which some Oya 'oya people speak, it has been reported that most younger people cannot understand Suau. There is a need for God's Word to be translated into Oya 'oya.
Scripture Prayers for the Oyaoya in Papua New Guinea.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Expanded PDF Profile |
People Name General | Oyaoya |
People Name in Country | Oyaoya |
Population this Country | 900 |
Population all Countries | 900 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
Alternate Names | |
People ID | 14239 |
ROP3 Code | 107718 |
Country | Papua New Guinea | ||
Region | Australia and Pacific | ||
Continent | Australia | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Milne Bay province: Samarai-Murua district, Bwanabwana local government area, southeast tip of Papuan mainland facing China strait. 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: Samarai-Murua district, Bwanabwana local government area, southeast tip of Papuan mainland facing China strait.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 4.00 %) |
30.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
70.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Oya'oya (900 speakers) |
Language Code | oyy Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Oyaoya |
Dialect Code | 15386 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Oya'oya (900 speakers) |
Language Code | oyy Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Oyaoya |
Dialect Code | 15386 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Oya'oya |
Primary Language: Oya'oya
Bible Translation Status: Translation Started
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
None reported |