The few Itik/Borto people live along the upper reaches of the Tor River, in the Soja Mountain range of rainforest in Papua, the western section of the island of New Guinea, a large island north of Australia, and speak a language unique to them. Theirs is a small-scale Melanesian society, geographically limited, whose economy is based on local resources; and is subsistent-based. Until reached by the outside world, they fought for land and resources with other groups.
They are subsistence horticulturalists. They grow sweet potatoes, taro, yams, and casava on lands cleared by fire and brush removal (slash/burn agriculture). Protein consists of wild boar and birds. Medicinal plants are also collected, as are wild yams, fruits, and nuts.
Clan kinship and the family are important. There are also rites of passage and memorial rites. They worship nature, plants, animals, and geographical features, all of which have spirits. Sacrifices are made to these. They also venerate their ancestors.
Roughly two-thirds identify as Christian. There are few Christian resources in their Itik language, and they struggle with looking back to the ancient spirits they once worshipped.
They need more government services. They live economically marginalized lives. There is conflict over land rights and land title. They need more education and better housing. They need food security and protection from outside agricultural interests that want their land. They need protection from discrimination and violence. In a word, they need self-determination as indigenous people.
Pray that they are respected and assisted by the government to have a genuine voice in their future.
Pray they are not overwhelmed by outside interests.
Pray that those who are followers of Jesus will evangelize the others and outsiders.
Pray that they get the Bible in their language and that they grow in the faith.
Scripture Prayers for the Itik, Borto in Indonesia.
Setadi and Samini, The More People Come, The Harder Lives Become (2023), Archium Ateneo, on line.
Isirawa Revitalization Programme (ILP), Indonesia, UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, Effective Literacy and Numeracy Data Base Literacy Base, SIL
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
