Luhu in Indonesia
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB / SIL. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Luhu |
| Country: | Indonesia |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 12,000 |
| World Population: | 12,000 |
| Primary Language: | Luhu |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 5.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 1.00 % |
| Scripture: | Translation Needed |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | No |
| Audio Recordings: | No |
| People Cluster: | Maluku-Central |
| Affinity Bloc: | Malay Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Luhu people also go by the name of Suku Luhu. They are a tribe living in southern Sulawesi Island, primarily in the Luwu and Enrekang regencies of South Sulawesi province.
Their language is part of the South Sulawesi language group. It is closely related to the languages of the larger Buginese and Makassar peoples.
Traditionally the Luhu people were farmers, fishermen and hunters. They were known for their skills in ironworking and producing traditional folk medicines.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Luhu culture is closely related to their agrarian past. Many work in the palm oil industry or they have migrated to urban centers looking for economic opportunities. Though they have faced challenges from land conflicts and social marginalization, the Luhu have maintained their culture and way of life to a large degree.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Luhu people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.
The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah.
Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will.
Like many rural Indonesian peoples, the Luhu people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well they live on a daily basis. For that reason, some Muslims appease spirits using charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces. More orthodox Muslims consider these practices heretical and un-Islamic.
What Are Their Needs?
The Luhu people need the Holy Spirit to direct them into a loving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Points
Pray for Luhu culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among their family and community leaders to seek his face and enjoy his blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Luhu people.
Pray that soon the Luhu people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the savior.