Punan Merap in Indonesia

Introduction / History

The Merap Punan people live in Indonesia, primarily in the remote forested regions of Kalimantan. Their history is closely tied to the forest, which has provided both sustenance and shelter for generations. Traditionally, the Merap Punan have been semi-nomadic, relying on hunting, gathering and shifting cultivation. Over time, their interactions with neighboring communities and external influences have led to some degree of settlement, but their connection to the forest remains central to their identity.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Merap Punan people continue to engage in traditional practices such as hunting, gathering forest products, and practicing swidden agriculture, which involves clearing small plots of forest for cultivation. The community lives in small, dispersed groups within the forest, with houses constructed from materials sourced from their surroundings. Their diet primarily consists of wild game, fish and crops like rice and vegetables grown in their swidden fields. While some Merap Punan have begun to settle in more permanent villages, many still move periodically to find new areas for cultivation. Education and healthcare services are minimal and often inaccessible in their remote locations.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Merap Punan people practice a form of animism, believing that spirits inhabit the natural world around them. These spirits are thought to reside in trees, rivers, animals and other elements of their environment. Rituals and ceremonies are conducted to honor these spirits, especially during significant events such as hunting or harvesting. While some members of the community have been introduced to Islam or Christianity through external contact, traditional beliefs continue to play a central role in their spiritual life.

What Are Their Needs?

The Merap Punan people face challenges related to their remote location and traditional lifestyle. Access to healthcare and education is extremely limited, leading to high rates of illiteracy and untreated health issues. Economic opportunities are also scarce, with most relying on subsistence activities for survival. The encroachment of logging and plantation activities into their forested homelands poses a significant threat to their way of life. There is a need for initiatives that support sustainable livelihoods, provide access to essential services, and protect their traditional lands from further encroachment.

Prayer Points

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Merap Punan people for Jesus and that in God’s sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Merap Punan people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Merap Punan people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.

Text Source:   Joshua Project