The Gorontalo live in the northern part of Sulawesi Island between the provinces of Central Sulawesi and North Sulawesi with the Sulawesi Sea to the north and the Tomini Bay to the south. In the year 2000, Gorontalo officially gained provincial status when North Sulawesi province was divided in two. This new province has two regencies: Gorontalo and Bualemo. The area is composed of extensive coastlines, rugged mountains and a large central valley with beautiful Lake Limboto at its center. The Gorontalo have traditionally lived along the coast and in the fertile lowlands beside rivers and streams. The Gorontalo language is part of a larger linguistic grouping called the Gorontalic family which also includes the Bintauna, Bolango, Buol, Kaidipang, Lolak and Suwawa languages. Gorontalo spoken by 90% of the Gorontalo, with those in the extreme eastern district speaking Suwawa.
The Gorontalo make their living by farming or fishing. An important segment is active in various businesses, from selling used clothing in the marketplace to running national companies. A number are powerful national figures. Locally made crafts include rattan kopiah (a type of Muslim hat), distinctive Kerawang embroidery and woven mats. Handicraft centers are found in the various districts and in the municipality of Gorontalo. Tourists enjoy the view of Lake Limboto from a cluster of three ancient Portuguese forts. The city offers a number of budget hotels. Currently, there are several airlines that serve the newly expanded airport. Gorontalo genealogy is bilateral (traced through both parents). Within the immediate family, children are not allowed to joke with their father, but must act respectfully. This is also true for interaction with older adult relatives. However, relationships are more open with grandmothers and older siblings.
The Gorontalo have been Muslim since the 16th century. They observe Friday prayers with colleagues from work. Many residents also walk to their neighborhood mosque for evening prayers. Each village contains one to three mosques. Fasting is widely observed during the month of Ramadan. Those of higher position or education tend to be more diligent in their religious observances than their poorer village counterparts. Despite being strongly Islamic, many Gorontalo still believe in motolohuta (supernatural creatures) and hulobalangi (mysterious powers) of which they are both fearful and fascinated. Others believe that the graves of people who possessed supernatural power in ancient days are sacred. These graves are scattered about central Gorontalo.
The Gorontalo leaders are aware of the challenges inherent in organizing and governing a new province. Public works projects such as drainage systems and the opening of new businesses such as restaurants and local print media are an important part of ongoing development. Outside investment is actively sought to create jobs and train local workers. However, most of the Gorontalo are dependent on the government or an associated agency to coordinate the distribution of their crops or products. Population pressure and the monetary crisis have resulted in widespread undernourishment. Illegal logging has opened the way for rampant erosion and infertile slopes.
Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Gorontalo people for Jesus and that in God’s sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow him.
Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.
Pray for the spiritual lives of the Gorontalo people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.
Pray for the lives and culture of the Gorontalo people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them.
Scripture Prayers for the Gorontalo in Indonesia.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Gorontalo |
People Name in Country | Gorontalo |
Alternate Names | Gorontalese; Hulondalo; Hulondaloa; Watia; Wau |
Population this Country | 1,172,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,172,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 4 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 23 |
People ID | 11931 |
ROP3 Code | 103453 |
ROP25 Code | 302773 |
ROP25 Name | Gorontalo |
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 | Gorontalo Province, widespread along both coasts, Sulawesi sea north, and Maluku sea south; Sulawesi Utara Province, incursion into Bolaang Mongondon Utare regency, northeast from Gorontalo city. 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 | Gorontalo Province, widespread along both coasts, Sulawesi sea north, and Maluku sea south; Sulawesi Utara Province, incursion into Bolaang Mongondon Utare regency, northeast from Gorontalo city.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.04 %) |
1.80 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.50 %
|
Islam |
97.70 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Gorontalo (1,172,000 speakers) |
Language Code | gor Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Gorontalo (1,172,000 speakers) |
Language Code | gor Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Gorontalo |
Primary Language: Gorontalo
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1993) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2000) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (2006) |
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) | Online |
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) | Online |
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 |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Gorontalo | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Gorontalo | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Gorontalo | YouVersion Bibles |
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. |