Balaesan in Indonesia

People Name:	Balaesan
Country:	Indonesia
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	6,900
World Population:	6,900
Primary Language:	Balaesang
Primary Religion:	Islam
Christian Adherents:	0.27 %
Evangelicals:	0.27 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Kaili-Tomini of Sulawesi
Affinity Bloc:	Malay Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Balaesan are a small indigenous people group in Indonesia. They live on a small western peninsula on the island of Sulawesi. Most live in coastal villages, although some reside in the mountainous interior.
The Balaesan converted to Islam after encountering Arab and Indian traders hundreds of years ago. Their language, Balaesang, is considered endangered due to the small size of the people group.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Balaesan make their living by hunting, fishing and agriculture. Their main staple food is sago, the pulp of certain palm trees. They also grow peanuts, corn, and coconuts. Most Balaesan live in isolated villages where an elder or group of elders make the decisions and settle their legal disputes. Most men have only one wife.
Many of the Balaesan are illiterate. Their children generally quit school early to help their families make a living. Most Balaesan have learned to speak the national Indonesian language of Bahasa so they can communicate with outsiders, contributing to the endangerment of their native language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

In the early 20th century, the Dutch colonialists sent evangelists into the Balaesan region, but the people seem to have resisted and remained loyal to Islam and their folk religion. Like many Muslims in Indonesia, they see Allah as remote and uninterested in their daily lives.
The Balaesan live in constant fear of offending the evil spirits and their ancestors. They constantly attempt to appease the evil spirits who live around them. A village shaman offers chants, charms and rituals to protect the Balaesan from the power of the spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

The Balaesan need to be freed from their fear of evil spirits through the gospel. They would benefit from the introduction of solar panels that could help them run appliances and cell phones. Medical teams could vastly improve the health of the people. Literacy training would enable the Balaesan to read the Scriptures in the national language of Bahasa.

Prayer Points

Ask God to send Spirit-anointed workers to the Balaesan to address their needs for education and healthcare in the context of making disciples.
Ask Jesus to appear to family leaders among the Balaesan in dreams and visions, and to draw entire families to himself.
Pray for growth in discipleship and community among the small number of Balaesan believers.
Pray for translation of the New Testament into Balaesang, for gospel recordings, and for literacy training that will enable the people to read the Scritpures in both Balaesang and Bahasa.
Ask God to ignite a Jesus movement among the Balaesan people that will result in disciples and churches that multiply through generations.