Baeggu in Solomon Islands

People Name:	Baeggu
Country:	Solomon Islands
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	11,000
World Population:	11,000
Primary Language:	Baeggu
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	99.00 %
Evangelicals:	31.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Online Audio NT:	Yes
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Solomons
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Baeggu people live on the northern end of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. Since the early 1900s, when Christian workers first arrived here, most consider themselves Christians. Despite that profession, many still perform rituals and keep rules to ensure good health, prosperity or abundant crops. These are holdovers from the animist roots in the culture.

Because the local economy is weak, Baeggu families struggle to find resources for school fees. Their community has little access to health services. Farming and fishing provide basic essentials.
Some families are able to send their children to boarding school in a larger city after sixth grade. Though this provides young adults with a valuable secondary education, few skilled jobs exist in the tight urban job market. Graduates are reluctant to return to the rural occupations of their parents. This mixture of circumstances is creating a jobless generation.

Many Baeggu speakers don't understand the Bible in English. They have a vague idea, guessing at the interpretation of what they hear in church. Many Malaitans are hungry for truth, seeking out "fresh revelation," which opens doors for teachers who have their own agendas. Baeggu believers need to be able to discern for themselves the truth based on a true understanding of what God's Word actually says.