Semendo in Indonesia

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

Introduction

The majority of the Semendo have been farmers for generations. Their fertile farmland lies approximately 900 meters above sea level. There are two main crops produced, rice and robusta coffee. Semendo is one of the primary rice-producing areas in South Sumatra. There are approximately 5,000 hectares of productive rice fields planted and harvested each year. The customs and culture of the area are greatly influenced by Islam. From rebana (tambourine) music to local songs to local forms of dance, all are strongly influenced by Islamic Malay culture. Semendo culture is more likely to give priority and authority to women than men because the Semendo kinship system is matrilineal, based on the mother's line.


Ministry Obstacles

The Semendo have been Muslims for generations. Though they tolerate people of other religious backgrounds, few, if any, would consider the claims of Christ.


Prayer Focus

Pray for the Lord to thrust out loving workers to the Semendo.
Pray for the Lord to use dreams and visions to get the attention of the Semendo.
Pray for disciples to make more disciples in Semendo villages.


Scripture Prayers for the Semendo in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Semendo
People Name in Country Semendo
Pronunciation seh-men-DOO
Alternate Names Malay; Semendau; Semendau, Malay
Population this Country 263,000
Population all Countries 263,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 5
PeopleID3 14843
ROP3 Code 108825
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sumatra island, Sumatera Selatan Province; east down Lematang and Ogan river valleys, south of Muaraenim town, east and southeast of Lahat town; Bengkulu Province; central Bukit Barisan highlands west to Indian Ocean along Bengkulu coast; Lampung Province, 4 separate enclaves.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sumatra island, Sumatera Selatan Province; east down Lematang and Ogan river valleys, south of Muaraenim town, east and southeast of Lahat town; Bengkulu Province; central Bukit Barisan highlands west to Indian Ocean along Bengkulu coast; Lampung Province, 4 separate enclaves..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Semendo in Indonesia
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.02 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.98 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Malay, Central (263,000 speakers)
Language Code pse   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Semenda
Dialect Code 5070   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malay, Central (263,000 speakers)
Language Code pse   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Semenda
Dialect Code 5070   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Malay, Central
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  International Mission Board-SBC - Jacob Talley  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.