Amele in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Amele
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	15,000
World Population:	15,000
Primary Language:	Amele
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	90.00 %
Evangelicals:	24.00 %
Scripture:	New Testament
Ministry Resources:	Yes
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Amele people are located in Madang Province. The villages are all located close to good all-weather roads. The only exception is Yahil, which is half an hour's walk from the road. The average population at the time of an older survey was around 200 people per village. Public Motor Vehicles (PMVs) are used regularly.

All villages at the time of the survey reported using trade stores on a regular basis. People from the villages frequently make the trip to the market in Madang where they sell things like cacao and copra. Aid posts are located within walking distance to each village.

It seems that most Amele people have attended school for some period of time. Those who were 30 years old or younger were often literate in Amele and Pidgin. Some of the children were learning English. Anyone older than 50 and women older than 30 were typically illiterate, though most men between 30 and 50 years old were literate.

Most mission work in the area has been done by Lutheran mission organizations.

Translation of the Bible has been in progress since 1981. The Amele New Testament was dedicated in 1998 while about 10% of the Old Testament has been completed and checked.