Who are the Kayu Agung?
The Kayu Agung people are located throughout the districts of Kayu Agung and Upper Ogan Komering Ilir in the province of South Sumatera. They speak the Kayu Agung language, which is a branch of the Melayu (Malay) language cluster. Kayu Agung means "the people of the noble wood". They are not nomadic, but tend to live in the same area their entire lives. Currently, there are approximately 40 Kayu Agung villages.Some neighboring people groups characterize the Kayu Agung as lazy and thieving. A rumor suggests that they are blessed by the local religious leader(s) before setting off on a "robbery trip." Obviously in response to this hatred, the Kayu Agung are generally unfriendly and suspicious of outsiders.

What are their lives like?
The Kayu Agung houses have wooden walls and floors, with a sago palm leaf roof. The houses are usually raised several feet off the ground on top of wooden stilts.Livelihood is earned through farming, trading and making earthenware vessels. Seasonal farming is common because they live in a swampy area. During the rainy season, rice is the only crop that can be grown. Cultivating the rice takes place in the following stages. First, the field is cleared. Second, after the water levels recede, a crop is planted. In this phase, the workers are mainly men, but in the third stage of the harvest time the whole community helps one another in a system called gotong royong. Every citizen is required to perform service for the good of the village and clan.Family lineage of the Kayu Agung is determined bilaterally. Community life is ordered by a system of customs called Simbur Cahaya, which is based on a traditional system of regulations from the Sriwijaya Kingdom and the Sultanate of Palembang. This system still maintains a distinction between the royal class and the ordinary people. Decisions in matters of adat (customs) are made in meetings of peers or through village, community, clan, or small group meetings. The community meetings are lead by the pasirah (village chief) or his deputy. If several clans are involved in a problem they often hold small meetings. Larger meetings are lead by regents or other high-ranking officials. Kayu Agung customs include many traditional ceremonies begin at birth, and include engagement, marriage, circumcision and death.

What do they believe?
Almost every Kayu Agung person follows Islam. However, many also hold traditional beliefs in the spirit world. The Kayu Agung believe that ancestral spirits can trouble humans. Because of this, before a body is buried they must cleanse it with flowers. The goal is to confuse the dead spirit so it forgets its way back to its former home. A dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) is highly trusted and is often requested to perform rituals for planting and harvesting. The Kayu Agung also consider some areas as sacred places for the enthroned spirits of the departed.

What are their needs?
The Kayu Agung need appropriate agricultural technology to assist them in adapting to the condition of the swampy land where they live and work. The communities need to develop alternative means of employment, such as increasing the quality of local clay and ceramic craftwork so they get more value for their labor.