Manem, Yeti in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

This people group lives in the far northwest of Papua New Guinea in Sandaun Province, close to the border with Indonesian Papua. They belong to a remote borderland region where small communities have long been shaped by forested terrain, difficult access, and cross-border cultural ties. Their language is Manem, also called Jeti or Yeti, a Papuan language spoken on both sides of the Papua New Guinea–Indonesia border. More of them live in Indonesia than PNG.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Yeti Manem live in a remote inland border region where village life is commonly shaped by forest, local footpaths, and limited road access rather than major towns. In this kind of northwest New Guinea setting, ordinary life is typically centered on small-scale gardening, hunting, gathering, and close kinship-based village life, with movement between settlements often depending on foot travel and local tracks. Homes are generally simple village houses built from local materials suited to a humid tropical environment. Family and clan relationships are central, and because their language community extends across the international border, social ties may also connect with related settlements in Indonesian Papua. Their language in ordinary life is Manem, also called Jeti or Yeti.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yeti Manem are identified with traditional ethnic religion, though they also have a Christian presence.

What Are Their Needs?

The Yeti Manem need a clear and enduring gospel witness that reaches beyond occasional contact and into real repentance and faith in Christ. They need faithful believers and mature Christian workers who will patiently live among them, teach Scripture clearly, and help establish strong local fellowships. Because remote border communities can remain spiritually isolated and hard to reach, they need enduring relationships, biblical discipleship, and trustworthy leaders who can anchor future believers in truth. They also need Christian homes that model holiness, forgiveness, and love so that the gospel is seen as well as heard.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord would send faithful gospel workers to the Yeti Manem with humility, courage, and endurance.
Pray that the Yeti Manem would clearly hear and understand the good news of Jesus Christ and turn from spiritual darkness to the living God.
Pray for genuine believers to be established in biblical truth and strengthened in steadfast faith.
Pray that the Lord would raise up trustworthy local leaders and Christ-centered families among the Yeti Manem.
Pray for an enduring Christian witness among the Yeti Manem that will remain fruitful across future generations.

Text Source:   Joshua Project