Nanubae in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Nanubae
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	1,500
World Population:	1,500
Primary Language:	Nanubae
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	10.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Nanubae people live in three villages in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, two of which are along the Arafundi River. Their staple food is sago, a flour processed from the trunk of the sago palm. The people supplement their diet with fish they catch in the river.

There are two dialects of the Nanubae language. One is spoken in the village of Imanmeri and the other in two other villages, Yamandim and Wambrumas.

Canoes are the main form of transportation.

The Catholic Church began working in the Nanubae area around 1960. In 1992 the PNG Revival Church established a small congregation in Imanmeri. Although most of the people would claim to be Christian, some are only nominal Christians and still use traditional religious rituals such as magic for hunting and fishing and attracting women. Fear of evil spirits and belief in their power is common.

There are elementary schools in Imanmeri and Yamandim, which use both the vernacular and Tok Pisin.