Yotowawa, Kisar in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The 50 square mile island of Kisar looks like a fort. The outer perimeter is a coral rock cliff with a hill separating the inner island (where the people live) and this outer cliff. Moving around the island the occasional corridor cuts through the outer hill to the interior. The only town, Wonreli, is located about one mile from the west coast and almost two miles from the south coast. The government offices function here as well as the open air market three days per week.

The 12,000 people on the island speak two separate languages: Kisar - 10,000 speakers and Oirata - 2,000. The island is divided up into 20 village areas of Kisar speakers and 2 village areas of Oirata speakers. They also speak Indonesian and Ambonese Malay.

There are many Kisar people scattered throughout Indonesia. It's hard to determine exact figures probably there are between 15,000 and 20,000 Kisar people living in other parts of Indonesia. There are Kisar people even living in the USA and Europe. The water supply on the island of Kisar will only sustain around 12,000 which no doubt explains this tendency for Kisar people to seek jobs off the island. There are many Kisar people who have become government workers all over Indonesia from school teachers, to lawyers to boat captains, boat personnel and hired help in many Chinese-run stores.

Most all children go to one of Kisar's 14 elementary schools until at least the sixth grade. There are also two junior high schools and one high school. When asked why it is important to be able to read their language, the answer is: "Because when we read our own language we immediately understand the writing's meaning."


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Yotowawa, Kisar in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Yotowawa
People Name in Country Yotowawa, Kisar
Alternate Names Kisar; Loikera; Meher
Population this Country 29,000
Population all Countries 29,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 16061
ROP3 Code 111099
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 Province, southern part, over 20 villages total; Kisar island, northeast of Timor island, 19 villages; nearby Roma and Wetar islands, Hila, Likagraha, Amau, Naumatan, and Hi’ai villages; some in Ambon, Dili, and Kupang cities.   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 Province, southern part, over 20 villages total; Kisar island, northeast of Timor island, 19 villages; nearby Roma and Wetar islands, Hila, Likagraha, Amau, Naumatan, and Hi’ai villages; some in Ambon, Dili, and Kupang cities..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 7.00 %)
98.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
2.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kisar
Language Code kje   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Oirata
Primary Language Kisar
Language Code kje   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Oirata
People Groups Speaking Kisar
Photo Source Bowo W - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024