Yis in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

The Yis people live in East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, in villages along tributaries of the Karawari and Arafundi rivers. Their community has developed over generations among river channels and forested lowlands, where families have maintained a village?based way of life shaped by natural waterways and shared village bonds. Their language, called Yis, belongs to the Torricelli language family, one of the many indigenous language groupings found across northern Papua New Guinea.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Yis live in small rural settlements where daily life centers on cooperation among family and neighbors. Subsistence gardening, fishing in nearby rivers, and gathering forest resources provide the basic ingredients for food and shelter. Waterways are important for travel and connection with surrounding villages, while footpaths through the bush link families within their area.

Their language is used within the community for most daily interaction, while Tok Pisin is often used when speaking with people from outside their villages. Local knowledge about traditional gardening, food preparation, building techniques, and community practices is passed down orally from elders to younger generations, helping preserve cultural continuity amid broader changes.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Christian teaching shapes spiritual life for many Yis, influencing values, worship practices, and moral understanding within the community. Traditional beliefs related to unseen spiritual forces tied to nature and daily life may still influence some personal perspectives outside formal gatherings, but Christian faith frames the shared spiritual orientation of many families.

There are currently no portions of Scripture translated into Yis, so direct engagement with God's Word in the language spoken at home is extremely limited. Engagement with biblical teaching most often happens through Tok Pisin or other regional languages that people have learned.

What Are Their Needs?

Living in remote riverine areas presents practical challenges for the Yis, including limited access to consistent healthcare, formal education, and dependable transportation networks to larger service centers. Geographic isolation makes travel beyond the immediate villages difficult, and essential services can be hard to reach.

Spiritually, there is a clear need for the full message of Scripture to be available in their language so that individuals and families can read, reflect on, and apply God's Word directly in ways that resonate with daily life. Local teachers and leaders who are equipped with solid biblical understanding are also essential for nurturing deeper faith and guiding believers toward spiritual maturity.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Yis will grow in their understanding of God's love and the truths of the gospel, becoming grounded in Christ's teaching.
Pray for progress in translation so that the complete Scripture becomes accessible in their language, enabling direct engagement with God's Word in their homes and churches.
Pray for humble, faithful local leaders to emerge who can guide and disciple others with integrity and insight.
Pray that the witness of Christ's love lived out among Yis believers will draw others in nearby areas to ask about the hope they have in Jesus.
Pray for provision and strength for families in practical areas, including improved access to healthcare, educational opportunities, and reliable ways to reach larger service centers.

Text Source:   Joshua Project