Oyaoya in Papua New Guinea

People Name:	Oyaoya
Country:	Papua New Guinea
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	1,000
World Population:	1,000
Primary Language:	Oya'oya
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	30.00 %
Evangelicals:	4.00 %
Scripture:	Translation Started
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	New Guinea
Affinity Bloc:	Pacific Islanders
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Oya 'oya people live on the coast along the eastern end of the peninsula south of Milne Bay. They generally live in many small hamlets, rather than larger villages.

Their diet consists primarily of fish and yams, but most people also grow a cash crop such as copra or betel nut. Houses are made from sago palms, with black palm floors, and are built on posts about 2 meters above the ground. Most people wear western-style clothing bought at second hand stores in Alotau.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Around 1918 the Kwato church, the largest denomination in the area, was brought to the Oya 'oya area by Charles William Abel. Kwato churches became non-operational during WWII, at which time people were forced to move to other areas, but Kwato churches later reopened after the war, when they were joined by Catholic churches. Though many Oya 'oya people now profess Christianity and some attend church, there appears to be a lack of understanding of the gospel, and many people still practice magic and sorcery.

Although there is Scripture in Suau, a neighboring language which some Oya 'oya people speak, it has been reported that most younger people cannot understand Suau. There is a need for God's Word to be translated into Oya 'oya.