Busoa in Indonesia

Introduction / History

The Busoa are an indigenous people living on Buton Island in Indonesia. Buton Island was part of a Buton Sultanate from the 14th to 16th century. The Dutch ruled the island until 1949 when Indonesia became an independent nation. The Busoa language is considered endangered with only about 3000 speakers, none outside the Busoa people. The schools on Buton Island teach Bahasa, the national Indonesian language.
The Busoa live in villages in the southwest corner of Buton Island, the 19th largest island in Indonesia. Buton is in the Sulawesi Tenggara Province of Indonesia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Busoa still live in villages, although some have moved to cities and towns looking for economic opportunities and a better life. In the villages, the Busoa rely on agriculture and fishing for their income. Buton Island produces pineapples, maize, rice, coconuts and sago flour. Teak forests provide wood for shipbuilding and making furniture.
The Busoa who have moved to the cities are adapting to new lifestyles, becoming more and more a part of the modern Indonesian economy. The men work in the asphalt mines, contributing to the production of bitumen (also known as asphalt or tar), the island's main product.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like many Indonesian people groups, the Busoa practice a brand of Islam heavily influenced by animism. They use charms and spells in hope of warding off the evil spirits that they believe inhabit natural objects in their environment. Village shamans connect the Busoa with the spirit world and offer their services. The Busoa live in fear of offending the spirits and their ancestors.
There is a small group of believers among the Busoa. No current Christian resources currently are available in the endangered Busoa language. As more and more of the Busoa learn Bahasa as their heart language, the need for scripture translation may be declining.

What Are Their Needs?

The Busoa need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. The small church needs outside assistance to grow beyond a tiny minority. Solar panels could help the Busoa to obtain power for appliances and cell phones. Medical teams could advance the health of the Busoa. Bible translators could bring the word of God to the Busoa in their heart language.

Prayer Points

Ask God to grow the small Busoa church both spiritually and numerically. Pray for growth in discipleship and disciple-making.
Ask God to deliver the Busoa from fear of evil spirits. Ask the Holy Spirit to work signs and wonders through the believers to demonstrate God's power.
Pray for gospel workers to encourage the church and train leaders.
Ask God to draw entire Busoa families to himself.
Pray for a Church Planting Movement among the Busoa, resulting in multiplying disciples and churches.

Text Source:   Joshua Project