Introduction / History

They are not listed in Operation World; they are so few. Indeed, their language is in danger of disappearing due to out migration to cities where the lingua franca predominates. Most are bilingual. It is unclear if they have any Scripture in that language.

Their history may be divided into three parts: pre-colonial, colonial, post-colonial Commonwealth period. Their pre-colonial history goes back to waves of Melanesian and Polynesian seafarers who first settled the Vanuatu islands. Then in 1606, Pedro Fernandez de Queridos arrived. He called the islands the Southern Land of the Holy Spirit (in Spanish). However, the colonial period really came much later with the British and French. They were occupied by Americans apparently during World War II, because they came to identify cargo drops with someone named John from (America). Today they are an independent member of the British Commonwealth of Nations.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Those living in towns survive on a cash economy as day laborers. Those remaining in their ancestral homelands, have a horticultural and agricultural economy, growing taro, yams, coconuts, and manioc, supplemented by fishing. Their crafts include sand painting, weaving, and dances. Traditionally, they live in extended families. The community is headed by a chief who regulates communal work details and presides over ceremonies. Urbanization is producing cultural and language loss.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditional religion includes beliefs in ancestral spirits, sacred rites, kastom dances, and kava ceremonies. These seem to also affect their Christianity, which consists of worshippers of the Presbyterian, Anglican, and Churches of Christ denominations. Thus, there appears to be some syncretism, apparently due to the influence of chiefs.

What Are Their Needs?

Their primary need is cultural continuity and language preservation due to out migration, as noted above. They also need better economics, as subsistence agriculture is inadequate, forcing people to migrate to towns. Physically, these islands are vulnerable to adverse weather, especially due to their low elevations and climate change causing a rise in sea level. Spiritually, they need discipleship in their heart language, Scripture in their heart language, and culturally sensitive ministry.

Prayer Items

Pray for the preservation of their language. Bible translation would help that.
Pray for Scripture engagement and discipline, and that especially that Mafea chiefs would be receptive to the gospel.
Pray for cultural resilience, especially for those going to towns.

Reference
Valerie Gueria, Description of Mavea (Endangered Languages Archive)

Scripture Prayers for the Mafea in Vanuatu.