Kadai in Indonesia

Introduction / History

The Kadais are a small, distinct ethnic group and language located in the remote Sula Islands (Maluku Utara province). Kadais are highly remote and scattered, regarded as one of Indonesia's most marginalized ethnic groups. The main language is Kadai, which belongs to the Austronesian language family.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Their livelihood focuses on fishing and coastal harvesting.

Due to a low population, the Kadai language is highly vulnerable to extinction, but the population is likely to use Ambonese Malay and Bahasa Indonesia for interactions with outsiders.

What Are Their Beliefs?

This region is predominantly Muslim, due to the history of spice trade and the Sultanates of Ternate and Tidore. Kadais primarily practice animistic beliefs. There are a small number of Christians among them.

What Are Their Needs?

They do not have access to basic services such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation because they live on a small island. This community struggles with low literacy rates and poor educational attainment. With so few who speak the Kadai language, it is likely to become extinct in the decades to come.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to provide for their needs for education, clean water, and medical care.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring fire and fervor to Kadai Christians, filling them with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and driving them to share their faith.
Pray that soon, Kadai disciples will be making more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project