Buol in Indonesia

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

Introduction

The history of the Buol region is one of the rise and fall of small kingdoms and their occasional confederation into larger entities for defense and conquest. Sometimes the Buol are treated as a subgroup of the Gorontalo due to cultural and linguistic similarities. There is not a good road system in this area, so most contact among the Buol is by sea, as the area is bordered by the Sulawesi Sea. Even though the various Buol villages are limited in their contact, they still maintain a sense of unity as a people group. They are united by language and cultural practices. Most earn a living as rice farmers. Most Buol have embraced Islamic teachings and this has greatly influenced their lives. Despite this, traditional animistic beliefs are still strong in daily life.


Ministry Obstacles

Access to the Buol area by outsiders is difficult.


Prayer Focus

There are a few Buol individuals who identify themselves as Christians. Ask God to give them fresh ways to fellowship together and also with their Gorontalo brothers and sisters.
Since there are more believers in the neighboring and similar Gorontalo group, pray that those believers will look not only to their own spiritual need, but also to the needs of the Buol.
Forestry, fishing and tourism have the greatest potential for further economic development of the Buol region. Pray that God will guide the people in this area and keep them wise in their decisions, especially in the area of transportation facilities.
Ask God to prepare the hearts of the Buol to learn about Him as well as for the other areas of their lives that may change drastically.
Ask God to open the hearts of professing Muslims, as well as those who maintain traditional animistic beliefs, that they will want to learn of the love and hope Christ can bring.


Scripture Prayers for the Buol in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Buol
People Name in Country Buol
Pronunciation boo-OHL
Alternate Names Bual
Population this Country 116,000
Population all Countries 116,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 11021
ROP3 Code 101758
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sulawesi Tengah Province, Paleleh, Bunobogu, Bokat, Momunu, Biau, and Baolan subdistricts, 68 villages; north coast, near Gorontalo Province border.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Sulawesi Tengah Province, Paleleh, Bunobogu, Bokat, Momunu, Biau, and Baolan subdistricts, 68 villages; north coast, near Gorontalo Province border..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Buol in Indonesia
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.01 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.97 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Buol (116,000 speakers)
Language Code blf   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Buol (116,000 speakers)
Language Code blf   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Buol

Primary Language:  Buol

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2021)
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 Buol Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2025  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Location: IMB. Imagery: GMI, ESRI, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics, ESRI User Community. Design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.