Supai in Papua New Guinea

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

Introduction / History

The Sama people live on the southern slopes of the Saruwaged mountain range in Morobe province. The seven Sama villages are situated on level areas of the mountains.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The people live off the produce from their gardens: taro, sweet potato, greens, coconuts, bananas and other kinds of fruit. The Sama people also plant betelnut, tobacco and coffee for cash crops.
The Sama villages are between 700 and 1300 meters above sea level. Roads are just starting to be built and three villages can now be reached by road. Houses are built on posts one to one and half meters off the ground. The walls are constructed with either woven bamboo or handmade planks. The roofs are thatched with broad bamboo leaves or grass.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lutheran church entered the area in the 1930s and since then has established a congregation in every village. When the church came in the people left behind their old ways of fighting. The Lutheran mission set up schools that taught Kâte, a language from the eastern coast, to the children until the 1960s. The Bible and liturgy books are available in Kâte and are still used in the church along with Tok Pisin, the trade language. The younger generation doesn't understand Kâte, the older generation has low proficiency in Tok Pisin and there are no scriptures or liturgy available in Sama, so all three languages are used during church services.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sama people are dissatisfied with their situation but as they don't have the scripture in their own language they don't gain an understanding of God's promises for the believer's everyday life.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Holy Spirit to drive this people group to love and obey the ways of Christ.
Pray for them to have a willingness to be wronged if that is what it takes to follow Christ.
Pray for a complete and accurate Bible.


Scripture Prayers for the Samo, Supai in Papua New Guinea.


References

Wycliffe Bible Translators


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Samo, Supai
People Name in Country Samo, Supai
Natural Name Supai
Alternate Names Daba; Nomad; Samo
Population this Country 1,700
Population all Countries 1,700
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 19110
ROP3 Code 115308
ROP25 Code 307191
ROP25 Name Samo (Papuan)
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Western province: Lake Murray district, south Upper Strickland census district, east of Strickland river, north of Nomad.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Western province: Lake Murray district, south Upper Strickland census district, east of Strickland river, north of Nomad..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 27.00 %)
97.00 %
Ethnic Religions
3.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Samo (1,700 speakers)
Language Code smq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Samo (1,700 speakers)
Language Code smq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Samo

Primary Language:  Samo

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1973-2007)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
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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 World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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