Ringgou in Indonesia

Ringgou
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Map Source:  Anonymous
People Name: Ringgou
Country: Indonesia
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 14,000
World Population: 14,000
Primary Language: Rikou
Primary Religion: Christianity
Christian Adherents: 80.00 %
Evangelicals: 5.00 %
Scripture: New Testament
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: No
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Timor
Affinity Bloc: Malay Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Ringgou, or Rikou, are one of several language groups that live together on the small Indonesian island of Rote in well-defined areas established by historic kings. They live at the eastern tip of the complex dialect chain, which extends down the island. According to legend, the island's name comes because a Portuguese sailor who was lost and a farmer asked where he was. The man who didn't understand Portuguese introduced himself as "Rote".

One of the Ringgou people's staple foods is a sweet, milky drink, nirah, that comes from a special variety of lontar palm. The people tap the palm during the five months of dry season each year, drinking the nirah directly and making it into sugar. The people also grow gardens during the wet season, catch fish, and raise pigs, goats, sheep and water buffalo. They use horses for transportation.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Today most Rotenese are professing Christians, many from families of numerous generations of Christians. Pastors use the Indonesian language Bible in services, but without understandable Scriptures, professing Christians lack the foundational truths that lead to practical applications for Christian living. Furthermore, a few Rotenese still practice traditional religion, while some have more recently converted from that practice.

Text Source:   Anonymous