Luwu in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The Luwu live in the Luwu and North Luwu regencies in the province of South Sulawesi. Their primary domicile is near the Kalaena River. In the Pangkep regency, there is a cave named Supang Bita, which is reputed to be the home of Luwu's ancestors who lived over 5,000 years ago. On the wall of Sumpang Bita there is an old drawing of the palm of a man's hand, the sole of a man's foot, a boat, a deer and a wild boar. It is thought that these elements show the former lifestyle of the Luwu people. Ancient artifacts from 300-100 B.C. have been discovered in the Tomatua Kaciacang cave. Other archeological sites in the area include Bole Batu cave (in the Barebo District) and Pattae cave (in Turikale Distict).
The Luwu are historically considered one people group. The Kingdom of Luwu (also Luwuq or Wareq) is the oldest Kingdom in South Sulawesi. Residents living in the territory of the former Kingdon of Luwu consider themselves Luwu people.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Luwu generally live as farmers. Besides planting rice, they also grow corn, peanuts, chili peppers, cassava and potatoes. They also grow coffee and cloves for trading. Some Luwu gather snails, eels and small fish from the irrigated rice fields that are not yet planted. Most farmers use water buffalo to plow their rice fields. The Luwu are well known in the area for their houses and rice barns, which are decorated with complex carvings. Many houses also have large statues of wealthy Luwu nobles. Luwu villages are small and either located on hills or spread along a plain. These villages consist of extended families, with four to six families living together in one house. They stress the importance of diligence, respecting their elders and putting the needs of the family before the needs of the individual.
Luwu parents and older relatives sometimes arrange marriages, but today most young people are given permission to choose a spouse themselves. After marriage, the new couple may choose to live with either the husband's or the wife's family. An unusual form of adoption is frequent among the Luwu. They believe that family bonds can be broadened and made stronger by allowing relatives or friends to adopt their children. The children end up being raised by both their original parents and their adoptive parents.


What Are Their Beliefs?

In 1605, Luwu's ruler, La Patiwareq, Daeng Pareqbung became the first South Sulawesi ruler to embrace Islam. Since that time, all the Luwu have followed Sunni Islam. Despite this history, all sorts of animistic practices influence their culture. Among the Luwu, burial is an extremely important event. They believe that this ceremony enables the deceased person to leave the world of the living and continue the journey to the hereafter. Their burial ceremony varies in length and complexity, depending on one's wealth and status.


What Are Their Needs?

The Luwu need to be introduced to modern farming of a more practical and productive nature to replace their traditional methods. They also need training to improve crop production for increased revenue.


Prayer Points

Pray for Luwu farmers to experience an exceptionally large crop this year as a testimony of God’s absolute power and goodness.
Pray for them to be open to the ways of Jesus, even to the point of enduring persecution and loss of family.
Pray for loving and dedicated workers.


Scripture Prayers for the Luwu in Indonesia.


References

IPN, 2011 Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Luwu
People Name in Country Luwu
Alternate Names
Population this Country 369,000
Population all Countries 369,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 7
PeopleID3 20296
ROP3 Code 105940
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 Sulawesi Selatan Province, Luwu and North Luwu regencies. Main area along the northwest coast; Bone bay; west in Bastem subdistrict, along Rongkong river valley past Salutallang village; Seko Lemo subdialect spoken in its own enclave in Uro valley, northwest of Sallutallang; enclave of Rongkong speakers in East Luwu regency, Nuha subdistrict near Soroako.   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 Sulawesi Selatan Province, Luwu and North Luwu regencies. Main area along the northwest coast; Bone bay; west in Bastem subdistrict, along Rongkong river valley past Salutallang village; Seko Lemo subdialect spoken in its own enclave in Uro valley, northwest of Sallutallang; enclave of Rongkong speakers in East Luwu regency, Nuha subdistrict near Soroako..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Luwu in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.40 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.60 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tae' (369,000 speakers)
Language Code rob   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Northeast Luwu
Dialect Code 17019   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tae' (369,000 speakers)
Language Code rob   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Northeast Luwu
Dialect Code 17019   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tae'
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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