Kolom in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Kolom
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	900
World Population:	900
Primary Language:	Migum
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	90.00 %
Evangelicals:	21.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Started
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Migum people live in three coastal villages located on the Rai Coast of Papua New Guinea, in the eastern part of Madang Province. Migum villages are about 20 kilometers to the west of Saidor.

Their diet consists primarily of sweet potatoes, taro, greens and fish. Houses are made with black palm floors and woven bamboo walls. Roofs are thatched with dried sago palm leaves. Houses are set on posts 2-3 meters above the ground. Most Migum people wear western-style clothing, but many women wear a long piece of cloth tied around their waist.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lutheran church was the first church established in the Migum area. Pastor Jerome, from Samoa, and Reverend John Kuder, from New York, USA were two of the earliest missionaries on the Rai Coast. Pastor Jerome first contacted people on the Rai Coast in 1912, and Rev. Kuder arrived in Biliau in 1934 to continue the work. There are now three churches in the Migum area: Lutheran, Lutheran Renewal and United Methodist.

The Migum people do not have the Bible in their mother tongue. During church services the Bible is read in Tok Pisin, the language of wider communication.