The Weliki Sirak people (commonly known simply as Sirak) live in Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea, along the Busu River in a section of the Markham Valley where small villages cling to river flats and forest edges. Their identity has developed over generations through village life shaped by a mix of riverine forest and bushland, with family ties and daily work forming the backbone of community continuity. They speak Nafi, an Austronesian Oceanic language of the Markham group that is closely connected with nearby languages in the region.
Sirak families live in small rural villages where daily life centers on gardening for staple foods, fishing in nearby waterways, and gathering materials from forest and river for shelter and tools. The Busu River and its channels are important for travel between villages and for accessing resources in the wider area. Extended family relationships are central to social life, with shared responsibilities for food production, household work, and child?rearing.
Their language is the primary means of communication within the community, while Tok Pisin is commonly used when interacting with people from outside the immediate area. Skills, local knowledge, and cultural practices are passed down through daily conversation and shared work rather than written records.
Christianity is the predominant spiritual framework for most Sirak people, shaping values, worship gatherings, and how life's greater questions are interpreted within families and the community. Traditional beliefs related to spirits and unseen forces connected to land and daily life may still influence some personal perspectives outside formal worship contexts, but the Christian message is the shared spiritual foundation for many.
Work toward translating Scripture into their language has started, but there are currently no established portions of God's Word in Nafi yet. This limits direct engagement with the entirety of Scripture in the language they use most often, so many rely on broader languages for biblical teaching and worship.
Living in a remote riverine region brings practical challenges such as limited access to reliable healthcare, consistent schooling, and dependable transportation to larger service centers. Rivers and footpaths remain the primary means of travel, and essential services are often distant or difficult to reach.
Spiritually, a clear need is for the full message of Scripture to be available in their language so that individuals and families can read, reflect on, and apply God's Word in daily life in a deeply personal way. Local leaders trained in biblical truth and teaching are also essential for nurturing mature faith and strengthening the church community for long?term spiritual growth.
Pray that the Sirak will grow in spiritual maturity and a personal understanding of Christ, allowing the gospel to shape daily life, family relationships, and community bonds.
Pray for wisdom, perseverance, and provision in translation efforts so that the complete Bible becomes accessible in their language, opening doors for deep engagement and reflection on God's Word.
Pray for humble, faithful local leaders to emerge who will disciple, teach, and shepherd others with biblical clarity, compassion, and integrity.
Pray that the witness of Christ's love and truth among the Sirak will stir interest and spiritual openness within nearby communities and families.
Pray for provision in practical needs such as improved access to dependable healthcare, educational opportunities, and transportation that supports family and community wellbeing.
Scripture Prayers for the Sirak in Papua New Guinea.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nafi_language
https://www.ethnologue.com/language/srf/
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
