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.
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 fairly 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.
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.
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.
Scripture Prayers for the Luwu in Indonesia.
Profile Source: IPN, 2011 Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Luwu |
People Name in Country | Luwu |
Alternate Names | |
Population this Country | 366,000 |
Population all Countries | 366,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 7 |
People ID | 20296 |
ROP3 Code | 105940 |
ROP25 Code | 304864 |
ROP25 Name | Luwu |
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 | 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 | 33 (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 |
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' (366,000 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' (366,000 speakers) |
Language Code | rob Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Northeast Luwu |
Dialect Code | 17019 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Tae' |
Primary Language: Tae'
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2022) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Text / Printed Matter | Literacy primer for Tae' | Literacy & Evangelism International |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | IPN, 2011 Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |