Roinji in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

Beautiful, tropical beaches with the Finisterre Mountains rising in the background, coconut trees providing a seemingly endless supply of fresh coconut juice, ocean waters where tuna and other fish are free for the taking — this is the home of many Papua New Guinea peoples on the northern coast of the country, including the Ronji language group. It's an ideal home in many ways, though you won't have use of your cell phone or anything electric.

If you hop on a small motor boat, you can get to a nearby town in a short time. Need to bathe or get a drink? No problem. Fresh water streams are available for all your water needs. Just make sure you boil the water if you don't yet have a "strong" PNG stomach. And for people who get around primarily on foot, the flat coastal area and well-worn paths make for easy walking through tall grass or dense bush. Gardens provide most of the food people eat and the Ronji spend much time planting yams and taro, weeding, and cutting grass or clearing trees for a new garden.

What Are Their Beliefs?

"Singsings' are times when people sing, dance, and decorate themselves with traditional clothing and natural materials. Though 'singsings' are common throughout Papua New Guinea, the Ronji have their own unique way of doing them that has been passed down through the generations.

What Are Their Needs?

There are many Ronji Christians, but as of now there is no Bible in the Ronji language. There is a Bible translation project in process in a language related to Ronji, but the people need their own translation for them to best understand the Scriptures. They have been interested and even eager to be involved in translating the Scripture into their language.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will bring together the right people and resources to tap into this eagerness and bring God's Word into the Ronji language.

Text Source:   Anonymous