Mitang, Nambi in Papua New Guinea

The Mitang, Nambi have only been reported in Papua New Guinea
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Mitang people are an indigenous group living in the Eastern Highlands Province of northern Papua New Guinea. The Mitang people have lived in their region for thousands of years and have a strong connection to the land.

The Mitang people have faced many challenges throughout their history. In the early 20th century, they were colonized by the British, who imposed their laws and customs on the Mitang people. This led to conflicts between the Mitang and the colonial authorities.

Many Mitang people have been displaced from their ancestral lands, and their traditional practices have been threatened by the introduction of modern technology and new social norms.

The primary language of the Mitang is called Nabi or Metan. Some are able to speak the trade language Tok pisin.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mitang have a subsistence lifestyle, relying on hunting, fishing, and agriculture for their survival. Agriculture is central to their way of life, with sweet potatoes being their staple crop. They also grow bananas, yams and other crops. They grow cocoa and coffee as cash crops. They buy things they cannot make for themselves such as metal tools.

The Mitang live in an isolated area in PNG. There are few roads. The only reliable form of transportation is by water. The Mitang often have to walk hours to participate in local markets.

Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the Mtiang is able to read and write. This issue keeps them from benefiting from some of the benefits of modern PNG society.

In more recent times, the Mitang people have faced threats to their way of life from modernization and development projects. Many Mitang people have been displaced from their ancestral lands, and their traditional practices have been threatened by the introduction of modern technology and new social norms.


What Are Their Beliefs?

On paper almost all Mitang are Protestant Christians, yet their form of Christianity is influenced by their traditional beliefs. They also believe in ancestral spirits and other supernatural beings that inhabit the natural world. These beliefs are expressed through elaborate ceremonies and rituals, including the singing of songs, dancing, and the exchange of gifts.


What Are Their Needs?

The Mitang people have physical and spiritual needs. They need schools to teach their children literacy skills. They would benefit by access to modern medicine. Most of all the Mitang need pastors who know and can teach the word of God in the local language.


Prayer Points

Pray the Lord provides schools to help the Mitang learn literacy skills.

Ask the Lord to raise up pastors who can teach the Mitang the Bible.

Pray that the Lord provides modern medicine to the Mitang.

Pray that soon the Mitang would be able to read the Bible in their own language.


Scripture Prayers for the Mitang, Nambi in Papua New Guinea.


References

The National Research Institute 2010, Papua New Guinea District and Provincial Profiles, link here.

National Economic & Fiscal Commission 2014, Go Long Ples Reducing inequality in education funding, A Report by the National Economic & Fiscal Commission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Mitang
People Name in Country Mitang, Nambi
Alternate Names Nambi
Population this Country 1,100
Population all Countries 1,100
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 13740
ROP3 Code 106672
ROP25 Code 305505
ROP25 Name Mitang
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sandaun province. 3 villages.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sandaun province. 3 villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 19.00 %)
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Nabi (1,100 speakers)
Language Code mty   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Nabi (1,100 speakers)
Language Code mty   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Nabi

Primary Language:  Nabi

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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