Osum in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Osum
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	2,100
World Population:	2,100
Primary Language:	Utarmbung
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	90.00 %
Evangelicals:	14.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Needed
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Madang is home to more languages per capita than any other province of Papua New Guinea (and possibly more than any other region of the world). The Osum language is one of 172 indigenous languages spoken in Madang.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Osum are one of the most remote language groups in the province. They live on the outskirts of the Middle Ramu District, with poor access to roads, health facilities and education opportunities. It is hardly surprising then that very few Osum people have learnt to read. Please pray for an improvement in the opportunities and welfare of the Utarmbung.

What Are Their Beliefs?

They are almost entirely Christian.

What Are Their Needs?

Nine out of ten Osum speakers identify as Christian, but they do not have access to any scriptures in their language. They also use Tok Pisin to communicate with people who speak other languages.

Prayer Points

Pray that some will be able to understand God's word from the Tok Pisin Bible and will accurately pass it on to the rest of their people.
May God stir up a hunger for his word among the Utarmbung and may he raise up workers to bring his word to them! Pray that the scriptures are provided in an audio format, so that the people can access the translated scriptures despite low levels of literacy.