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."
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 | |
People ID | 16061 |
ROP3 Code | 111099 |
ROP25 Code | 309042 |
ROP25 Name | Yotowawa |
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 | 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 | 33 (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 |
|
Primary Language | Kisar |
Language Code | kje Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Oirata | |
People Groups | Speaking Kisar |
Primary Language: Kisar
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1997) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2008) |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Kisar | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Kisar | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Download scripture in this language | eBible.org |
Photo Source | Bowo W - Flickr Creative Commons |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |