Southern Wakatobi in Indonesia

The Southern Wakatobi have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The island people formerly known as Tukang Besi (iron worker) in Southeast Sulawesi is now more commonly referred to as Wakatobi, which is an acronym from the four islands they live on: Wangi Wangi, Kaledupa, Tomia and Binongko, in the Wakatobi District. They consist of nine indigenous communities: Wanci, Mandati, Liya, Kapota, Kaledupa, Waha, Tongano, Timu dan Mbeda-beda. Each island has its own dialect, but people from different islands can understand each other when communicating.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Wakatobi base much of their livelihood on agriculture. The main crops are corn, rice and cassava. Many Wakatobi are fishermen or boat builders. However, since economic opportunities are lacking, many sail to other locations in search of work, only to remain in their new areas. The Wakatobi people have scattered throughout much of eastern Indonesia. Seafaring is considered man's work, along with ironworking, boat building, brass and silver manufacturing and tending to crops in the field. Pottery, weaving, preparing meals, cleaning and managing the family's money are the women's primary jobs. Wakatobi houses are raised above ground and built of sturdy planks. The roofs are made of small planks, palm leaves or iron and the houses have only a few small windows.
Most villages have markets where woven silk, cotton and other fabrics are traded. The island of Kaledupa is well known for its soft fabric known as masres. In general, Wangi-Wangi is the most developed and is the seat of district government. It is also the transportation hub because of its proximity to Buton and Kendari. There is also an old fortress near the capital city with a community living inside it, similar to the one found in Baubau on Buton island.
The roads on Kaledupa are much less developed and there are several Bajau communities offshore. The islands of Hoga and Runduma on the east side of Kaledupa have some inhabitants and are great spots to see marine wildlife. Tomea is probably the second most developed island after Wangi-Wangi and has benefited from a nearby dive resort. Binongko is the most remote and least developed island, but is actually the home of the only iron workers still found in the island chain. The people of Binongko have many mystical stories about the origin of the island and sacred places that can be found there. Binongko's eastern half is home to Cia-Cia people.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Wakatobi are Muslim, but they still believe in various kinds of supernatural forces. Ancestral spirits are considered to help in some instances and bring bad luck (such as illness) in others. The Wakatobi people also have a high regard for nature because it is God's creation. Sufi Islamic mysticism abounds with its focus on knowing God.


What Are Their Needs?

The Wakatobi need assistance in improving their physical infrastructure in areas such as electricity and clean water supplies. They also need training in appropriate technology and better formal education. They also need more medical clinics and medical personnel. The rising tourist industry has great potential because of the exquisite marine life in this area.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Southern Wakatobi people to experience and respond to God’s glory.
Pray for loving and committed workers to go to the Southern Wakatobi people.
Pray for Southern Wakatobi disciples who will make more disciples among their family members.


Scripture Prayers for the Wakatobi in Indonesia.


References

IPN, 2011 Copyrighted © Used with permission


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Wakatobi
People Name in Country Wakatobi
Natural Name Southern Wakatobi
Alternate Names Tukangbesi; Tukangbesi Selatan, Southern
Population this Country 287,000
Population all Countries 287,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
People ID 15620
ROP3 Code 110252
ROP25 Code 308683
ROP25 Name Wakatobi
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Sulawesi Tenggara Province; Tukang Besi archipelago, south islands; northern Binongko and Tomea islands; South Sulawesi Province, Selayar regency, Madu, Kalaotoa, Bonerate, and Karompa islands. Maluku, Taliabu, Mongole, Sulabesi, Buru, Seram, Ambon, and Alor islands. Settlements throughout western Papua Province.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Sulawesi Tenggara Province; Tukang Besi archipelago, south islands; northern Binongko and Tomea islands; South Sulawesi Province, Selayar regency, Madu, Kalaotoa, Bonerate, and Karompa islands. Maluku, Taliabu, Mongole, Sulabesi, Buru, Seram, Ambon, and Alor islands. Settlements throughout western Papua Province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Wakatobi in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.01 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
91.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %

Primary Language:  Tukang Besi South

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2020)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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 Wakatobi Jesus Film Project
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



Joshua Project logo    Joshua Project    Copyright © 2024