Opao in Papua New Guinea

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

Introduction / History

The Opao people live along river banks in Gulf Province, about a two hour ride in a motorized canoe from Kerema, the provincial capital. The area is swampy. Sago grows well in the area and is a major source of food for the Opao people. They also plant gardens and fish in the rivers. They grow betel nut which they sell in Kerema and Port Moresby.

The Opao people travel by walking or by canoe. There are many canoes made from hollowed out trees; most canoes are paddled by hand but some have outboard motors. Walking between villages can involve traversing stretches of muddy swamp. Some children regularly walk for two hours through a swamp to get to school.

Christianity first arrived in the Opao area in the 1930s when the United Church began work in the area. More denominations have begun work in the area since then and most people would claim to be Christians. However, traditional religion and magic are still strong in the area and many people do not attend church.

The Opao language is the people's heart language yet they do not have God's word in it.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Opao in Papua New Guinea.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Opao
People Name in Country Opao
Alternate Names
Population this Country 4,800
Population all Countries 4,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14205
ROP3 Code 107665
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Gulf province: Orokolo and Keuru area.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Papua New Guinea
Region Australia and Pacific
Continent Australia
10/40 Window No
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Gulf province: Orokolo and Keuru area..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 26.00 %)
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Opao (4,800 speakers)
Language Code opo   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Opao (4,800 speakers)
Language Code opo   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Opao

Primary Language:  Opao

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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