The Aralle are indigenous people in the nation of Indonesia. Most experts say that they came from other parts of Southeast Asia hundreds of years ago. The Aralle became Muslims due to the influence of Muslim Indian and Arab traders in the 16th century. The Aralle-Tabulahan language is spoken by less than 20,000 people and is considered endangered by linguists.

The Aralle people live only in west central Sulawesi Island. They live near the coast of the Makassar Strait that borders the eastern portion of the island of Borneo.

The Aralle make their living through agriculture, fishing, and hunting. They grow rice, coconuts, sago palms, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Men fish the rivers and the waters of the Makassar Strait. They also hunt for animals suitable for eating. As Muslims, the Aralle will not eat pork. Chickens supply them with meat and eggs. Goats provide skins, milk, and meat.

The Aralle live in villages governed by an elder or group of elders. Village shamans are their main source of medical and spiritual care.

The Aralle consider themselves to be Muslims. Their Islam is heavily influenced by folk religion. The Aralle believe that spirits inhabit the objects of nature such as rocks, trees, rivers, hills, and animals. They believe that evil spirits can hurt them, and Allah is distant. The spirits control their daily lives. Village shamans help the Aralle deal with the spirits through the use of charm, rituals, and offerings.

The Aralle need to hear and understand the life-changing message of Jesus Christ. They would also benefit from medical teams coming to their villages and offering them modern medicine. Agricultural experts can show the Aralle how to improve their crop yields. An Aralle New Testament became available in 2004, but they need full access to it.

* Scripture Prayers for the Aralle in Indonesia.

Pray for gospel workers to catch a vision for reaching the Aralle people for Jesus and that in God’s sovereign timing their hearts would be open and ready to follow Him.

Pray for Jesus movements to bless extended Aralle families so the gospel will spread rapidly among this people group.

Pray for the spiritual lives of the Aralle people to become fruitful as they follow Christ.

Pray for the lives and culture of the Aralle people to evidence the rule and reign of the Kingdom of God as they open to the gospel, and for the beauty of Jesus to be seen in them. Pray the Aralle New Testament gets into the hands of the small group of Aralle believers.

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/21530/ID
wikipedia.org/wiki/Aralle-Tabulahan_language
https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/PeopleDetails.aspx?rop3=100456#topmenu