Ampanang in Indonesia

The Ampanang have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Ampanang people group lives just east of Central Kalimantan, southeast of the city of Tunjung, not far from the cities of Jambu and Lamper. Kalimantan, meaning "River of Diamonds," is the name for the Indonesian two-thirds of the island of Borneo; Malaysia and Brunei occupy the other one-third. The Ampanang are one of the people groups in the Barito cluster, which is part of the larger Dayak ethno-linguistic complex.
Dayak peoples tend to live alongside the interior rivers of Kalimantan. The Dayak tribes apparently came from West Asia as a migration of the Mongols who entered the archipelago through the southern Kalimantan coastal city, which is now called Martapura. They are sometimes sub-divided as either Land or Sea Dayaks, although this is primarily a European designation to distinguish the various groups. Dayak peoples often live in multifamily houses either with or near the wife's family. Some Dayak groups have practiced slavery, and this practice may still be in effect in some groups.
Recently, the Ampanang have become more open to outsiders, with greater mobility and contact with the outside world. This has led to significant changes in their lives, traditions, worldview and community systems.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The primary means of livelihood for the Ampanang include hunting, gathering forest products, fishing, farming, and trade. Although most Ampanang live beside rivers, some live in areas far from any river.
Ampanang belief in unseen spirits characterizes their culture, including arts, ceremonies, and other activities. Key ceremonies include matchmaking and engagement, marriage, pregnancy, birth, healing of a sickness and burial. Ritual ceremonies are also often observed during the time of celebrating their important holidays.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Ampanang generally follow traditional Dayak beliefs, called Kaharingan. In addition, some are also follow Nyuli teaching regarding a resurrection after death (Suli). In this teaching, Bukit Lumut releases the departed spirit, which then returns to the village, bringing something from eternity that can be used to improve the condition of the world.
The Ampanang people also worship the spirits of their ancestors (duwata). Each Ampanang family has a place of worship (kunau) for their own ancestors in their house. They also use a pangantuhu, a piece of human bone, as a tool to call departed ancestors.


What Are Their Needs?

The Ampanang need formal education and skills development to face the changes they are experiencing and rise out of poverty. They also need more modernized health education and care.


Prayer Points

Ask God to send Christian teachers to the Ampanang to raise their level of education.
Pray for medical workers to modernize their health care systems.
Pray for freedom from spiritism and a hunger for spiritual truth.
Pray for translation of the New Testament into the Ampanang language.
Ask God to ignite a Disciple Making Movement among the Ampanang that will result in multiplying house churches.


Scripture Prayers for the Ampanang in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Ampanang
People Name in Country Ampanang
Alternate Names
Population this Country 40,000
Population all Countries 40,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 10300
ROP3 Code 100303
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 Southern Kalimantan Timur Province, west of Mahakam river delta, east of Jambu and Lamper towns.   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 Southern Kalimantan Timur Province, west of Mahakam river delta, east of Jambu and Lamper towns..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
100.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ampanang (40,000 speakers)
Language Code apg   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ampanang (40,000 speakers)
Language Code apg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ampanang

Primary Language:  Ampanang

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
General Language Learning Phrasebook They Need the Bible
Photo Source Franc Le Blanc 
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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