Ayamaru, Brat in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The Ayamaru Brat or Maibrat are indigenous people. They speak a "language isolate" which means their language is not related to any other language family. A New Testament in Maibrat became available in 2007.


Where Are they Located?

The Ayamaru live in the central region of the Bird's Head Peninsula of the island of New Guinea in the nation of Indonesia. The land they live on is classified as tropical rain forest on the slopes of mountains on the peninsula.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Ayamaru practice "slash and burn" agriculture. They cut down the trees and vegetation on a plot of land. Then they burn the remaining plant so as to produce a type of fertilizer. Once the soil is exhausted, they move on to another plot of land and do the same thing until it too is exhausted. The main crops of the Maibrat are rice, copra (dried coconuts), corn, and peanuts. They also hunt and fish to supplement their diets. The Brat live in small villages ruled by the heads of families or elders. Most now speak Bahasa, the Indonesian national language as well as their own language of Maibrat. They trade their crops of peanuts and cobra to obtain things that they cannot make for themselves like metal tools and solar panels.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The vast majority of the Ayamaru are animists. They believe that spirits inhabit parts of nature such as trees, rocks, rivers, the sky, mountains and animals. The spirits must be appeased by sacrifices, rituals and charms or they can bring harm to the people. Each village has a shaman who connects the Brat to the spirit world. The Ayamaru also ask the shaman to deal with their medical needs. A small minority of the Ayamaru are believers.


What Are Their Needs?

All Ayamaru need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They would also benefit by having agricultural experts come and teach them how to farm their land more effectively since their slash and burn method damages the plants and animals of their environment. Medical teams can help improve the Brat's health. Many Ayamaru are illiterate. Teachers can help the Brat learn how to read and write Maibrat and Bahasa.


Prayer Points

Pray that the small group of Maibrat believers are nurtured in the faith and that they are used by the Holy Spirit to begin an unstoppable movement to Christ.
Pray the Lord raises up Bible believing pastors and church leaders who can teach the Brat the Word of God.
Pray for teams of believers come and help the Ayamaru with their physical and economic needs.


Scripture Prayers for the Ayamaru, Brat in Indonesia.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird%27s_Head_Peninsula


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Ayamaru
People Name in Country Ayamaru, Brat
Alternate Names Brat; Maibrat
Population this Country 96,000
Population all Countries 96,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 4  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
People ID 10516
ROP3 Code 100659
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 33  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Papua Barat Province, about 40 villages. Central Bird’s Head, area around Ayamaru lakes.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 33  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Papua Barat Province, about 40 villages. Central Bird’s Head, area around Ayamaru lakes..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Ayamaru, Brat in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.80 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
95.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
1.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Mai Brat
Language Code ayz   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Malay, Papuan
Primary Language Mai Brat
Language Code ayz   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Malay, Papuan
People Groups Speaking Mai Brat
Photo Source Denis Gabriel Kutanggas - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.