Kosena language speakers live on the border of Okapa District and Kainantu District in the Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Oral history relates that their ancestors originated from the Tairora village and initially settled in the rich Oiyana valley between Onamuga and Ontenu village. Their ancestors had to move camp from Oiyana, after having settled there for a very long time, due to tribal warfare and involvement of colonial rule through Luluai and Tultuls and village policing to control law and order (German New Guinea Territory).
Their ancestors initially referred to and known as Irafo people migrated to current site after a short stay in Onamuga. They could not stay long at the new location due to their reputation as fierce warriors who were viewed as trouble makers. They moved camp after instigating trouble with neighboring tribes and moved down to Arora villages and settled there for some time. While there, they made several scouting expeditions back to the current site to weigh out possibility of reprisal attacks on occupants, mostly Fomu people and return and reclaim their land. They eventually mustered enough courage to fight off the Fomu people and reclaim the current site. The current generation, due to its association with the Arora, Sefuna and part of Awiyana people adopted the name Kosena, although the history of how the name evolved remains vague to this day.
The current location for Kosena language speakers is along the border of Okapa and Kainantu district in Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Some of the language speakers, especially from Arora, Sefuna and Awiyana are located towards the southern part of Okapa district.
The current lifestyle of the people is a mix of subsistence farming, using traditional and modern agricultural practices. The main staple food eaten all year round is English potato or kaukau. They grow vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, garlic and potato.
Many traditional cultures and practices have been done away with or are in the process of dying out as the people embrace Christianity and socio-economic changes brought about by the independence.
These language speakers are declining at an alarming rate. This is probably the last generation to know most of their cultural heritage including pure language. The new generation cannot articulate well and speak Pidgin English with many substitution of phrases in between. A Tokples (native mother tongue) school needs to be set up to preserve this language.
Scripture Prayers for the Kosena in Papua New Guinea.
Profile Source: Eliud Uwasenko |
People Name General | Kosena |
People Name in Country | Kosena |
Alternate Names | |
Population this Country | 5,600 |
Population all Countries | 5,600 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 5 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 5 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 12808 |
ROP3 Code | 105252 |
ROP25 Code | 304233 |
ROP25 Name | Kosena |
Country | Papua New Guinea | ||
Region | Australia and Pacific | ||
Continent | Australia | ||
10/40 Window | No | ||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | ||
Location in Country | Eastern Highlands province: Kainantu and Okapa districts. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Papua New Guinea |
Region | Australia and Pacific |
Continent | Australia |
10/40 Window | No |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Location in Country | Eastern Highlands province: Kainantu and Okapa districts.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 16.00 %) |
85.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
15.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Kosena (5,600 speakers) |
Language Code | kze Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Kosena (5,600 speakers) |
Language Code | kze Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Kosena |
Primary Language: Kosena
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1973) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1980-2014) |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 |
---|---|---|
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app direct APK download | SIL |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Kosena | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app direct APK download | SIL |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Kosena | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Download scripture in this language | eBible.org |
Text / Printed Matter | Scripture text - download | PNG Bible Translation Association |
Photo Source | Eliud Uwasenko |
Profile Source | Eliud Uwasenko |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |