Mitang, Nambi in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

The Mitang people are an indigenous group living in the Sandaun Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Mitang people have lived in their region for thousands of years and have a strong connection to the land.
They have faced many challenges throughout their history. In the early 20th century, they were colonized by the British, who imposed their laws and customs on the Mitang people. This led to conflicts between the Mitang and the colonial authorities.
Many Mitang people have been displaced from their ancestral lands, and their traditional practices have been threatened by the introduction of modern technology and new social norms.
The primary language of the Mitang is called Nabi or Metan. Some are able to speak the trade language Tok pisin.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Mitang have a subsistence lifestyle, relying on hunting, fishing, and agriculture for their survival. Agriculture is central to their way of life, with sweet potatoes being their staple crop. They also grow bananas, yams and other crops. They grow cocoa and coffee as cash crops. They buy things they cannot make for themselves such as metal tools.
The Mitang live in an isolated area in PNG. There are few roads. The only reliable form of transportation is by water. The Mitang often have to walk hours to participate in local markets.
Unfortunately, only a small fraction of the Mtiang is able to read and write. This issue keeps them from benefiting from some of the benefits of modern PNG society.
In more recent times, the Mitang people have faced threats to their way of life from modernization and development projects. Many Mitang people have been displaced from their ancestral lands, and their traditional practices have been threatened by the introduction of modern technology and new social norms.

What Are Their Beliefs?

On paper almost all Mitang are Protestant Christians, yet their form of Christianity is influenced by their traditional beliefs. They also believe in ancestral spirits and other supernatural beings that inhabit the natural world. These beliefs are expressed through elaborate ceremonies and rituals, including the singing of songs, dancing, and the exchange of gifts.

What Are Their Needs?

The Mitang people have physical and spiritual needs. They need schools to teach their children literacy skills. They would benefit by access to modern medicine. Most of all the Mitang need pastors who know and can teach the word of God in the local language.

Prayer Points

Pray the Lord provides schools to help the Mitang learn literacy skills.
Ask the Lord to raise up pastors who can teach the Mitang the Bible.
Pray that the Lord provides modern medicine to the Mitang.
Pray that soon the Mitang would be able to read the Bible in their own language.

Text Source:   Joshua Project