Tati, Raepa Tati in Papua New Guinea

Tati, Raepa Tati
Photo Source:  Anonymous 
Map Source:  Anonymous
People Name: Tati, Raepa Tati
Country: Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window: No
Population: 1,100
World Population: 1,100
Primary Language: Kaki Ae
Primary Religion: Christianity
Christian Adherents: 95.00 %
Evangelicals: 20.00 %
Scripture: Translation Needed
Online Audio NT: No
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: No
People Cluster: New Guinea
Affinity Bloc: Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Kaki Arua'u are a relatively small group who live along the coast, southeast of Kerema, that is the capital of Gulf Province. The Kaki Arua'u people speak the Kaki Ae language.

They are subsistence farmers, growing sweet potato, plantains, coconut, and sago.

The Kaki Arua'u villages consist of groups of 5 to 32 houses perched on posts over a meter off the ground with thatch roofs and walls of woven sago palm bark. Five of the six villages are on a potholed road, which once connected Kerema and Port Moresby, the national capital. However, parts of the road are currently impassible. Lou village is on the coast above a cliff that drops about 20 meters down to a narrow beach where the people fish at low tide. On the beach are narrow dugout outrigger canoes with cargo platforms. In addition to fishing, these are used to carry people and cargo to and from passing motorized dinghies, which do not dare to navigate through the rocks just off the beach in the crashing waves. People in the Kerema area used to travel in very large canoes all the way to where Port Moresby is today carrying sago with them, the edible pith of the sago palm, to trade for clay pots. The Kaki Arua'u now travel to Port Moresby by motorized boats and Public Motor Vehicles, to sell betel nut for cash.

What Are Their Beliefs?

With regard to religion, Christianity is dominant, but it is not understood clearly due to the fact that the people do not have the Word of God in their own language. Kaki Ae was added to the list of languages awaiting Bible translators in 1993, but 11 years have passed and they are still waiting.

Text Source:   Anonymous