Koita in Papua New Guinea

The Koita have only been reported in Papua New Guinea
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Koita are one of the indigenous peoples of the Port Moresby area in Papua New Guinea and are closely linked with the Motu as the traditional landowners of the area on which the capital later developed. They belong to the southeastern Papuan region and are part of the wider Koiarian-speaking world. Their language is Koitabu, also called Koita, a Papuan language spoken around Port Moresby.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Koita have long lived in the Port Moresby district, historically in inland and near-coastal villages closely connected to the Motu communities. Their ordinary life has traditionally been shaped by village settlement, gardening, fishing access through nearby coastal partnerships, and strong kinship ties within the wider Motu-Koita world. Because they are tied to the Port Moresby area, their communities have also been deeply affected by urban expansion, land pressure, and ongoing interaction with the capital city while still maintaining recognized indigenous village identities through the Motu Koita Assembly. Their language in ordinary life is Koitabu, though many people in the region also use Motu, Tok Pisin, and English in broader social settings.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Koita are identified as Christian, though traditional ethnic religious influence may remain. Scripture is available in their language.


What Are Their Needs?

The Koita need strong biblical discipleship so that Christian identity is matched by genuine repentance, biblical conviction, and obedience to Christ. Because they live in a setting shaped by both traditional village life and heavy urban pressure from Port Moresby, they need faithful churches, mature believers, and leaders who can hold firmly to Scripture amid social change and compromise. They need protection from nominal Christianity, syncretism, and generational drift. They also need renewed zeal to carry the gospel beyond their own community and to serve other ethnic groups in and around the capital with faithful witness.


Prayer Items

Pray that the Koita would grow in genuine repentance, biblical clarity, and joyful obedience to Jesus Christ.
Pray that pastors, elders, and other local leaders would teach Scripture faithfully and lead with humility and courage.
Pray that the churches among the Koita would remain strong under the pressures of urban change, cultural compromise, and generational drift.
Pray for strong Christian families, healthy churches, and enduring discipleship among the Koita.
Pray that the Koita would actively reach out to other ethnic groups with the gospel and become a faithful witness beyond their own community.


Scripture Prayers for the Koita in Papua New Guinea.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motu_people
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motu_Koita_Assembly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koita_language
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koiarian_languages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiri_Motu


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Koita
People Name in Country Koita
Alternate Names
Population this Country 5,500
Population all Countries 5,500
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12744
ROP3 Code 105099
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Central province: Kairuku-Hiri district, Hiri and Kairuku RLLGs; National Capital District, Port Moresby and north, west and southeast.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Central province: Kairuku-Hiri district, Hiri and Kairuku RLLGs; National Capital District, Port Moresby and north, west and southeast..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

No people group static map currently available. Use the above button to submit a map.




Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Estimated Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
90.00 %
Ethnic Religions
10.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Judaism
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Sikhism
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Koita
Ethnologue Language Code kqi
Ethnologue Language Familly Trans-New Guinea
Glottolog Language Family Koiarian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Koita
Ethnologue Language Code kqi
Ethnologue Language Familly Trans-New Guinea
Glottolog Language Family Koiarian
Written / Published Yes   (ScriptSource Listing)
Total Languages 1

Primary Language:  Koita

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2024)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
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
Film / Video Jesus film: view in Koita Jesus Film Project
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.