Cia-Cia in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The Cia-Cia people are found throughout the southern part of Buton island, generally in the more rural areas. These people also inhabit the remote island of Batu Atas (south of Buton) as well as the eastern half of the island of Binongko in the Wakatobi island chain. The traditional laws and customs of the Cia-Cia are generally very strong and are a source of pride for them. The Cia-Cia can be found inland and in coastal communities. Back in the 1970s, the government forced most of the villages to move to the coast so they could better provide for themselves, but a few remained inland. The few remaining mountain communities have stronger traditional laws and beliefs. There are several communities on the east side of central Buton that have a language similar to that of the southern Muna dialect, but they have a closer cultural connection to the Cia-Cia. The land they live in is still undeveloped. A large portion of it has been set aside as a national forest because of the large number of rare species of animals that live there. The Cia-Cia language is part of a larger linguistic grouping under the Buton subfamily which includes the Kumbewaha and Lasalimu languages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Cia-Cia make their living as farmers or fishermen, depending on where their village is located. Those close to the sea not only fish, but are also seaweed farmers. Those living inland grow cashews, corn, cassava, cacao and in some cases coffee. Some of the inland villages have no running water and no water source other than collected rain water. Their land is currently being explored by foreign companies looking for oil and other minerals. Buton island has the largest deposit of natural asphalt in Southeast Asia. There are currently a couple of asphalt mines operating that provide some jobs. In general the Cia-Cia are very wary of people coming and taking their land without providing benefits or obtaining their approval first. The Cia-Cia have always had a close relationship with the Wolio and members of these groups often dwell in close proximity to one another, especially around the outskirts of the city of Baubau. The port city of Pasarwajo on the southeastern side of Buton is the current seat of the district of Buton and is the largest city of Cia-Cia.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost all Cia-Cia people have identified with Sufi Islam, but the Hindu and animistic traditions of their past are very active. According to their teachings, they practice meditation in order to receive visions from God, or to find hidden truths far beyond their own reasoning. Dreams are seen as solid evidence from God about how they should conduct themselves in life. In some villages, food and flowers are still offered at the graves of ancestors in order to obtain blessings for the approaching harvest. The Cia-Cia also believe that evil spirits cause illnesses, while helpful spirits give guidance. There are a few villages whose inhabitants hike to the top of a mountain in the area for a week every year in order to conduct several rituals regarding the year to come.


What Are Their Needs?

The mobility of the Cia-Cia people is high and they have spread into other areas. However, they need training and assistance to better manage their natural resources. They need formal education as well as practical training in order to take advantage of employment opportunities. They also need more medical attention, clinics and medical personnel.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Cia-Cia, South Butonese in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   IPN, 2011   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  

Additional Info
Global Prayer Digest: 2013-06-01
Pray for Sulawesi
People Name General Cia-Cia
People Name in Country Cia-Cia, South Butonese
Natural Name Cia-Cia
Population this Country 90,000
Population all Countries 90,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
Alternate Names Buton; South Butonese
People ID 11384
ROP3 Code 102228
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 Sulawesi Tenggara Province, extreme southeast tip, Flores sea; Buton island, area inland between Pasawajo and Membula towns; also Binongko and Batu Atas islands.   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 Sulawesi Tenggara Province, extreme southeast tip, Flores sea; Buton island, area inland between Pasawajo and Membula towns; also Binongko and Batu Atas islands..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Cia-Cia, South Butonese in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
2.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
98.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Cia-Cia (90,000 speakers)
Language Code cia   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Cia-Cia (90,000 speakers)
Language Code cia   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Cia-Cia

Primary Language:  Cia-Cia

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2020)
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 Cia-Cia Jesus Film Project
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2023  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source IPN, 2011   Copyrighted ©   Used with permission  
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Read more