Oral traditions and scientific evidence indicate Pohnpei to have been settled from areas to the east, south, and west. Archaeological evidence dates the earliest human activity at roughly the beginning of the Christian era. Of particular note is the megalithic site of Nan Madol, located just off the southeastern shore of Pohnpei. Archaeologists estimate that construction began sometime during the thirteenth century A.D. and continued for a period of approximately five centuries. Local histories speak of a line of rulers, the Saudeleurs, who attempted to dominate the island from Nan Madol. Following the fall of the Saudeleurs, there developed a more decentralized system of chieftainship. By the end of the nineteenth century, there were five chiefdoms coexisting with several smaller, autonomous regions that possessed a less stratified system of political organization. Intensified contact with the European-American world in the nineteenth century brought trade, Christianity and new diseases.
Most Pohnpeians (or Ponapeans) live on the island of Pohnpei which is part of the Federated States of Micronesia, though quite a few live on other Pacific Islands as well as in the United States and other countries. Pohnpei consists of one main island as well as five other inhabited coral atolls with their own distinct cultures. Pohnpei is one of four Micronesian island groups along with Yap, Chuuk and Kosrae.
Pohnpeian life around the island has elements of Pohnpei's past as well as Western cultures' influence. Local governemt and political government are separate, yet intertwined. Each of the five municipalities has a Nan Mwarki (king) and Nahnken (speaking chief) as well as many other local title holders. Very important to their culture are feasts of variuos kinds. You can count on three things being present at these feasts: pwig (pigs), kehp (yams) and sakau en Pohnpei (kava). Political government for the Federated States of Micronesia operates out of Palikir and most Pohnpei State political governemt operates out of Kolonia. Many Pohnpeians are employed by the government and work in Kolonia. Fishing and agriculture are a large part of Pohnpeian life.
Most Pohnpeians would claim to be Christians. About half of the professing Christians are Catholc and half are Protestant. Spiritism is still sometimes practiced among non-Christians and even interwoven into many Christian groups.
Pohnpeians need revival in every area of life. Many Christians are nominal and have little evidence of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many young people in Pohnpei are getting into trouble because of lack of things to do as well as the infiltration of Western culture. Youth focused ministry would be a great asset in Pohnpei.
Pray for the leaders of the churches in Pohnpei - that God would use them to lead Pohnpeians into a personal, hand-holding relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for the youth of Pohnpei - that God would raise up leaders and send missionaries to help them cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as well as create positive environments and activites for them.
Pray that sound Biblical theology would be understood and taught in Pohnpei.
Scripture Prayers for the Ponapean in Micronesia, Federated States.
Profile Source: Christian Jung |
People Name General | Ponapean |
People Name in Country | Ponapean |
Alternate Names | Ngatik |
Population this Country | 23,000 |
Population all Countries | 26,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 5 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 6 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 14439 |
ROP3 Code | 108108 |
Country | Micronesia, Federated States | ||
Region | Australia and Pacific | ||
Continent | Oceania | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Caroline Islands; Pohnpei island. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Micronesia, Federated States |
Region | Australia and Pacific |
Continent | Oceania |
10/40 Window | No |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Caroline Islands; Pohnpei island.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 23.00 %) |
97.50 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
2.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.50 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Pohnpeian | |||
Language Code | pon Ethnologue Listing | |||
Primary Dialect | Ponapean | |||
Dialect Code | 20622 Global Recordings Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 2 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Pohnpeian |
Language Code | pon Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Ponapean |
Dialect Code | 20622 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 2 |
Secondary Languages | |
Ngatik Men's Creole | |
People Groups | Speaking Pohnpeian |
Primary Language: Pohnpeian
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1862-1935) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1887-1977) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1994) |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Pohnpeian | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Pohnpeian | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Download scripture in this language | eBible.org |
Photo Source | Christian Jung |
Map Source | Christian Jung |
Profile Source | Christian Jung |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |