Introduction / History

The Kamaru live on Buton Island in Southwest Sulawesi in Indonesia. Though the adults speak the Kamaru language, children are taught Bahasa, the Indonesian national language, in school. As a result, the Kamaru language (spoken only by the Kamaru people group) is considered endangered.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kamaru earn their living by farming and fishing, as many groups in the region do.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Like many other tribal groups in Indonesia, the Kamaru practice a mixture of Islam and traditional religion. They claim Islam as their religion, but in daily life their practices include appeasing of spirits and other facets of animism.

A slightly higher percentage of the Kamaru identify as Christians than most other Indonesian tribes, though no Christian resources are known to be available in the Kamaru language. Since the language may be dying, Scripture translation into Kamaru may soon be irrelevant.

What Are Their Needs?

Typical of tribal groups in Indonesia, the Kamaru would benefit from modernized medicine, education, and agricultural techniques.

Prayer Points

Ask God to lead children and youth among the Kamaru to the Bible and other Christian resources in the Bahasa language, and to draw them to faith in Jesus.
Pray for the young people who come to know Jesus to be able to effectively share the gospel with their parents and families; ask God to raise up entire families of believers.
Ask God to send workers to the Kamaru to share with them both the gospel and their lives, and to plant multiplying churches among them.
Pray for the Lord to raise up a strong movement to Christ to saturate the hearts and minds of the Kamaru people.

Scripture Prayers for the Kamaru in Indonesia.