MISSIONARY ATLAS PROJECT
PACIFIC RIM - OCEANIA
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Snapshot Section
Country Name:
Papua New Guinea (Papuaniugini)
Former Name: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Country Founded in: Independent since 1975
Population: 6,057,263 (July 2009 est.)
Government Type: Constitutional parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm
Geography/location in the world: Located in Oceania which consists of the group of islands
including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South
Pacific Ocean of east Indonesia which includes the following important geographical locations
such as the Bismarck Archipelago, the Trobriand Islands, Samarai Island, Woodlark Island,
D'Entrecasteaux Islands, the Louisiade Archipelago, and the northernmost Solomon Islands of
Buka and Bougainville which form an autonomous region.
Located at 00 S, 147 00 E
Number of people groups: Eight hundred and forty one people groups, Detribalized being the
largest
Picture of flag:
The flag is divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner. In the center of the upper red
triangle is a soaring yellow bird of paradise. In the center of the lower black triangle is the
Southern Cross constellation of the five white five-pointed stars.
Religion Snapshot:
All religions and % for each:
Christianity
Traditional Ethnic
Baha’i
97.28%
1.80 %
0.70%
Buddhism
0.07%
Chinese religion
0.05%
Non-Religious/other 0.10%
Government interaction with religion: There is freedom of religion and government respects this
right.
Sources consulted:
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0837552.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/PP.html
http://www.peoplegroups.org/MapSearch.aspx?country=Papua+New+Guinea
Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, Operation World, 21st Century Edition (Harrisonburgh: R. R. Donnelley &
Sons, 2001.).
Country Profile
Basic Facts
Country Name:
Papua New Guinea, Papuaniugini
Former: Territory of Papua and New Guinea
Population: Nationality – Papua New Guinean(s) (noun) or Papua New Guinean (adjective)
Ethnic groupings: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
In July 2009, Papua New Guinea’s population numbered 6,057,263. The population density was
10.8 people per sq km (6.7 sq mi.).
The age structure in July 2009 was as follows: 0-14 years: 36.9%; 15-64 years: 59%; 65 years
and over: 4.1%. The median age of the total population was 21.7 years (male 21.8 years/female
21.6 years.). The life expectancy at birth for the total population was 66.34 years (male 64.08
years/female 68.72 years.).
With a birth rate of 28.14 births/1,000 population a death rate of 6.96 deaths/1,000 population
and a net migration rate of 0 migrants/1,000 population, Papua New Guinea’s population growth
rate was 2.069%. The 2009 statistics estimated infant mortality rate was 45.23 deaths/1,000 live
births with males at 49.17 deaths/1,000 live births and females 41.09 deaths/1,000 live births.
The total fertility rate was 3.62 children born/woman.
The adult prevalent rate with HIV/AIDS positive is 1.5%, whereas the total of people living with
HIV/AIDS is 54,000 and total deaths from HIV/AIDS are fewer than 1,000. The degree of risk
from the major infectious disease is very high. The diseases include food or waterborne diseases
such as bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever as well as verctorborne diseases such as
dengue fever and malaria.
Approximate estimates of the impaired population which is placed under following categories:
blind people – 12,500; deaf/hearing impaired – 276,700; and affected by leprosy – 20,000.
Although Papua New Guinea has pockets of overpopulated areas, the overall population density
is very low. In some areas it is three people per square mile and in other areas it averages almost
sixty people per square mile. The overpopulated areas are mostly within the highlands where
close to 40% of the population actually lives.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2797.htm
http://www.pngembassy.org/statistics.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/442191/Papua-New-Guinea
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pp.html#People
http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/papua_new_guinea.htm
http://www.capacity.org/Web_Capacity/Web/UK_Content/Download.nsf/0/29B64FA6A0D23680C1256FF6002824
3C/$FILE/Bolger,mandie-Filer,hauck_health%20study_2005.pdf
Language:
The diversity of Papua New Guinea is superbly reflected in a folk saying, “For each village a
different culture” is perhaps best shown in the local languages. There are 830 other languages
listed for this country which are found on 600 islands and out of these, 820 are living languages,
only 350-450 are related, 10 are extinct, and the remainder of the languages totally unrelated
either to each other or to the other major groupings. Literacy rate of the population varies from
32% - 43%. Few sources would argue that there are approximately 860 other languages present
in Papua New Guinea.
The three official languages of Papua New Guinea are English, Hiri Motu, and Tok Pisin.
The Tok Pisin language (pronounced /ֽtɔ:k ´pIzIn/) is derived from two English words, “talk
pidgin,” but has wider application, especially to the word “tok” which also means “word,”
“speech,” or even “language.” Tok Pisin may be more commonly known in English as New
Guinea Pidgin and largely in academic contexts known as Melanesian Pidgin English or NeoMelanesian. The history of the language is based in colonial period and forced plantation labor
in the 1800s in the South Pacific. Therefore, structure of the language is somewhat like both
English and Austronesian languages that were spoken by the plantation laborers.
Melanesians (a.k.a. Papuans) represent the descendants of the original Australoid migration and
Austronesian speakers descended from later migrants. Tok Pisin (a.k.a. Pisin, Neomalesian,
New Guinea Pidgin English, and Melanesian English) has been serving as the lingua franca of
the country for more than few decades. It is one of the widely used official languages throughout
Papua New Guinea, mainly in the provinces or in parts of them such as Western, Gulf, Central,
Oro, and Milne Bay.
Tok Pisin belongs to the language family of Creole, English Creole, Pasific, and Tok Pisin.
Although linguists claim that there are 50,000 people who use it as their primary language and
another 2,000,000 as second language speakers, the language is not as popular among the older
generation of the country. However, this is the language that is the most frequently used in
Parliament and commercial world.
The language is also considered to be one of the main means of communication between
speakers of different languages. As many as 5 to 6 million people use Tok Pisin to some degree;
however, by no means all of them mastered the language to using it fluently or on a proficiency
level. Those who use the language as their native one are mainly located in urban areas. There
are dialects of this language and the differences can be found between lowlands, highlands, and
different islands.
Hiri Motu language (a.k.a. Police Motu, Pidgin Motu, Hiri) belongs to the language family of
Pidginization of True Motu. Very few people are mother tongue speakers of this language
group, therefore these are the interethnic second language speakers. There are 120, 000 people
who speak the language and are mainly settled in Central Province, in and around the Port
Moresby area.
Pockets of this language group are located throughout the following provinces, - Oro, Gulf,
Milne Bay, and some in Western. Hiri Motu language is primarily based on pidgin Motu.
Though the languages are very similar lexically, grammatical and phonological differences
between Hiri Motu and Motu are so extensive that Hiri Motu speakers cannot understand Motu.
The complexity of this language even goes further. Hiri Motu has two dialects, namely
Austronesian Hiri Motu and Papuan Hiri Motu. Naturally, the dialect names derive from the
primary languages of the people group or country it has been used in. Papuan Hiri Motu dialect
is closer to Motu language grammatically and phonologically, close to 90%. Its vocabulary is
both more extensive and closer to the “original” language of Motu. Papuan Hiri Motu is more
widespread and considered as the standard language. The dialect has been influenced by
English, Tok Pisin, and Polynesian languages. Nevertheless, the use of the language has been
slowly declining since 1970 in favor of Tok Pisin. Younger generations tend to be unfamiliar
with Hiri Motu, so fewer and fewer of them speak or understand it well which was not the case
just few generations ago.
The English language is also one of the official languages in Papua New Guinea. It is taught in
primary school. However, English is merely used by 50,000 people or 1.5% of the entire
population. English is of an Indo-European, Germanic, West, North Sea, and English language.
The sentence structure of the language follows the Subject, Verb, Object order.
Papua New Guinea is divided into twenty provinces. Two maps provided below will serve as a
helpful visual aid for the geographical locations of each province. For each province there is
provided an estimate of the population with the number of languages used in the particular
location. One should bear in mind that all figures are approximate and different sources would
include non-citizens of the country as well. The statistics for the population provided here is
based on a 2000 estimate.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_provinces_(numbers).png
Bougainville (North Solomons) Province: population of 175,160 with 26 separate languages
spoken. Central Province: population of 183,983 with 25 separate languages spoken. Chimbu
(Simbu) Province: population of 259,703 with 9 separate languages spoken. East New Britain
Province: population of 220,133 with 18 separate languages spoken. East Sepik Province:
population of 343,180 with 88 separate languages spoken. Eastern Highlands Province:
population of 432,972 with 30 separate languages spoken. Enga Province: population of
295,031 with 5 separate languages spoken. Gulf Province: population of 106,898 with 22
separate languages spoken. Madang Province: population of 365,106 with 164 separate
languages spoken. Manus Province: population of 43,387 with 30 separate languages spoken.
Milne Bay Province: population of 209,054 with 54 separate languages spoken. Morobe
Province: population of 539,725 with 94 separate languages spoken. National Capital Province:
population of 254,158 – the number of languages were not available for this province; however,
due to its location, more likely the languages used here are interrelated with those in Central
Province. New Ireland Province: population of 118,350 with 23 separate languages spoken.
Northern (Oro) Province: population of 133,065 with 19 separate languages spoken. Sandaun
Province: population of 185,790 with 98 separate languages spoken. Southern Highlands
Province: population of 564,265 with 20 separate languages spoken. Western Province:
population of 153,304 with 51 separate languages spoken. Western Highlands Province:
population of 440,025 with 10 separate languages spoken. West New Britain Province:
population of 184,508 with 28 separate languages spoken.
Sources consulted:
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/
http://www.pnglanguages.org/pacific/png/index.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tok_Pisin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiri_Motu_language
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_language.asp?code=eng
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:lingua+franca&ei=JNMmSsTgJ4XuMqWLybEF&sa=X
&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pp.html#People
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2797.htm
http://www.citypopulation.de/PapuaNewGuinea.html#Land
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=PG
http://www.sil.org/pacific/png/show_work.asp?id=15656
Barbara F. Grimes, Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 13th edition (Dallas: Summer Institute of Linguistics, Inc.,
1996), s.v. “The Pacific: Papua New Guinea.”
Society/Culture:
Papua New Guinea, the country of over six million people, is homeland to over 200 cultures,
more than 800 different languages, and more than 1,000 different ethnic groups, each with
different traditions. The country takes great pride in the diversity of her culture. It has led to the
emergence of cultural faces through many different styles where each group has created its own
expressive forms in art, architecture, weaponry, music, costumes, dance, singing, and much
more.
http://www.parliament.gov.pg/
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
http://www.pngembassy.org/ecotour.html
http://www.pngembassy.org/culture.html
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/papuang_statistics.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MET/MET_Sala02_02.html
http://www.traveldocs.com/pg/culture.htm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/papua-new-guinea-economy-people-culture-flag.html
The indication of human presence on what is known today as Papua New Guinea shows the
evidence of the early settlers managing the forest environment in order to provide food, practice
gardening, and develop agriculture. The early indigenous garden crops included sugarcane,
Pacific bananas, yams, taros, sago, and pandanus.
For more than a few millenniums the main diet of those living along the cost has been shellfish
and fish. What became the present day’s staple of the indigenous population, sweet potatoes and
pigs, arrived much later and has been well adapted to the cuisine of the country. Present day
population of Papua New Guinea is made up of Melanesian/Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, and
Polynesian ethnic groups. For more information on these ethnic groups refer to the consulted
sources at the end of this section.
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negrito
http://www.stewartsynopsis.com/Synopsis%206.htm
http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Negrito/
http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter6/text6.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micronesian
http://books.google.com/books?id=oqqdbU0tBvAC&pg=PA109&lpg=PA109&dq=who+are+%22micronesian%22+
in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=iO3JvrdJcz&sig=56FqPSVTCSNZnsWdeWLJew3uPRw&hl=en&ei=Deh
MSp_DPJS-NpeIjeYD&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesian_culture
There are four distinct cultural groups spread throughout Papua New Guinea who have had a
stronger influence on the country at large and these are the Melanesian, Melpa, Iatmul, and
Mopu cultures. The indigenous people of Papua New Guinea are Melanesians who mostly live
in such provinces as New Britain, New Ireland, and Manus. The alternate name for this
population is Papuans. Melanesians vary considerably in their ethnic origins, physical
appearance, spoken languages, and are usually classified by language groups.
http://thslone.tripod.com/PNGFB.html (An annotated bibliography of Melanesian Folklore)
Urban and rural Melanesians are extremely different in their way of greetings and leaving, their
trade, and wedding ceremonies. Despite the fact of a great deal of antagonism between men and
women, in many Melanesian societies women play an important role in ceremonial and political
life of the community. It is common for this ethnic group to have the maternal uncle as the most
important male figure for raising the children. As the rest of the country, Melanesian culture
finds ways to deal with the modern world for which it is best equipped.
Melanesian culture has many important rites of passage. One of great importance is the puberty
rite for both males and females. Extreme and elaborate initiation rites were brought to an end
after the 1920s with the rule of the colonial administrators. According to the societal laws of the
present day and time, males undergo initiation rites as a necessary act to be regarded as a full
member of the particular community. Females undergo a brief period of seclusion with the onset
of menstruation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia
Traditional recreation for this culture involves story telling, dance, and song. Despite many
negative connotations to a person’s health, betel nut chewing is a favorite recreation of most
Melanesians. Much of recently developed Melanesian written literature is the transcription of
folklore and oral history. Although soccer, rugby, and cricket are important sports in Melanesian
culture, for many remote villages of the region these sports are no more than just names to the
people. Until this day electricity has not reached many Melanesians homes which puts common
electrical devices of Western culture, namely TV, in the category of the luxurious piece of
equipment for the urban folk and is available only to the wealthy locals as well as the expatriates
of the islands.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areca_nut
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/papuanewguinea/4140970/Papua-New-Guineabans-betel-nut.html
When the tourists and visitors come to Mt. Hagen in the Western Highlands Province, the first
Papuans they see are the Melpa people. The alternate names for this ethnic group are Medlpa
and Hageners. Unknown to one another, the outside world, and other highlanders, Melpa
peoples were the first highlanders to encounter Europeans in 1933. The area occupied by the
Melpa people is just outside Mt. Hagen in the vicinity of Wahgi Valley and Ogelbeng Plain.
Due to the fear of pollution of males by females, the Melpa culture focuses on the necessary
segregation of males and females, which is similar to other groups in the area. Rural areas of
the Melpa region are widely separated from one hamlet to another (hamlet a.k.a small
community) by valleys and mountain ridges. Being completely out of visual reach of each other,
natives build their way of long distance communication back and forth for greetings, requests,
directions, commands, and challenges which is accomplished via yodeling.
One of the important cultural factors for the Melpa society is vocal music. Many highland
cultures of Papua New Guinea still exercise courtship songs with double entendre lyrics by
which men entice their mates.
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Melpa.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=OOPVMKFveVEC&pg=PA10&lpg=PA10&dq=where+is+%22wahgi+valley%2
2,+location&source=bl&ots=nJ8rsA0Uf&sig=4YTIKWCEDUk4oWIhLNcdJzQIjBw&hl=en&ei=04tTSrWfD4uQNvK5kegI&sa=X&oi=book_result
&ct=result&resnum=7
http://books.google.com/books?id=1ohH1JPQwEMC&pg=PA389&lpg=PA389&dq=where+is+%22wahgi+valley%
22,+location&source=bl&ots=pyWgCfaAlU&sig=c6im2EOEh5vPO6r8KGyXrmyPJM&hl=en&ei=vY5TSo3QKZOkMMHEne0I&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum
=5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet_(place)
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-double-entendre.htm
The most representative culture of indigenous peoples in Papua New Guinea is the Iatmul
society which is represented by their artistic potentials in producing sculptures, carvings, and
masks. The alternate name for this ethnic group is Nyara. The majority of Iatmul people are
located along the middle course of the Sepik River, in the East Sepik Province of Papua New
Guinea. Before the pacification in 1930s, the people of this society were cannibals and
headhunters.
The language of the Iatmul is referred by the word “nyara.” Being exposed to Western culture
since the 1920s, the Iatmul society has adopted much of its aspects. In spite of this, when Iatmul
men pose for a pictures, they put on a fierce face which makes their appearance to be aggressive.
It is fascinating that Iatmul women maintain relations with the outside communities and the
cohesiveness of the local community, while men are aggressive, combative, and quick to anger.
Women are the primary caregivers in Iatmul society with the responsibilities for catching fish.
Later the fish harvest is traded in the neighboring villages to obtain the sago flour to make sago
pancakes.
Iatmul villages have no electricity and running water, although these luxuries are available to the
few who live in towns. Thus, the grand Sepik River serves the communities as dishwasher, a
washing machine, and a bathtub; although it is a great challenge to get out of the river clean due
to the banks of the river having a buildup mass of knee-deep mud. Traditional entertainment
includes storytelling, ritual performances, and music.
If, in the past, every item of daily use was decorated with carving, incision, or painting as an
artistic expression of their culture, it drastically changed by the end of the 20th century.
Unfortunately, tourism has changed art production and appreciation for Iatmul society and its
culture since the art of this region has become a money-spinning business for dealers from
different countries around the world.
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Iatmul.html
http://www.francois-de-st-jacques.eu/uploads/5B_Iatmul_people_(xtnd_history)%5B1%5D.pdf
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:pacification&ei=TKZTSsr3C46qMOvGxecI&sa=X&oi=
glossary_definition&ct=title
http://books.google.com/books?id=yFdbM2p8R2UC&pg=PA245&lpg=PA245&dq=what+is+%22pacification%22+
in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=NGKb07Dx-Z&sig=MLDvS8pSCTH9WelILuuyQMRQAY&hl=en&ei=_qZTSs7GLo2M9uXpd8I&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
One of the first areas where Europeans established their permanent settlement was on the island
of New Guinea along the stretch of coastline in the Central Province which is the homeland of
prominent Motu culture. The same 14 villages that were discovered by the Europeans are still
occupied by the Motu culture today. More than any other group of Papua New Guinea, Motu
has been heavily influenced by the Western world which has resulted in the loss of many
traditional aspects of the its culture.
Due to their traditional annual expeditions (a.k.a hiri) to the distant areas of the Gulf of Papua in
the past, the Motu people are well represented in national and foreign literature. The language
that was used to communicate with the neighboring communities during the times of these
trading expeditions was called Hiri Motu. Today the language is losing ground to Tok Pisin, the
wide-spread modern language of communication.
Since the majority of Motu culture is a Christian society, people celebrate and observe Christian
holidays as well as the secular national holidays. One of those important holidays is the Hiri
Festival where the culture celebrates and enjoys the dress and entertainment of traditional Motu
society.
The basic unit of social organization among Motu culture is the nuclear family. Ever since the
Europeans came to this region, marriage in this society has become monogamous and modern
Motus have complete freedom in choosing their marriage partners. However, bride prices are
still present and for some families it takes a long time to finalize a marriage transaction.
Christian missionaries interpreted the Motu traditional dancing as a preface to sexual activity and
therefore, they would strongly discourage any association with it. It took a few generations
before the society as a whole came to an agreement to stop the flourishing of this particular
aspect of the cultural expression. Some of the traditional dance forms still survive and
occasionally are being performed for tourists’ entertainment who visit Motu villages or for the
historical pageants.
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Motu.html
http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Motu-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=6v6wf5PxeXcC&pg=PA88&lpg=PA88&dq=motu+culture+in+papua+new+guin
ea&source=bl&ots=XhtOy4X6jI&sig=dCgicFblSFjjC1B7rfy1lAlw2k&hl=en&ei=1dNUSpSqJMGGlAfpzeTuCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=
3
http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/568485
http://www.commonwealth-of-nations.org/category.php?catID=5&Country=33
The populace of the country is believed to be the most heterogeneous in the world with several
thousand separate communities. Most of those communities have only a few hundred people and
all of them are divided by language, customs, and tradition. For hundreds of years some of these
communities have been constantly engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors. Due
to the rocky/mountainous topography and, therefore, great isolation, only until recently have
some villages became aware of the existence of neighboring communities which have been
located only a few kilometers away from each other.
Traditional housing in rural areas in Papua New Guinea appears to be adequate which is not true
for the urban areas. Due to the high population density caused by high migration, there is an
acute shortage for housing in the growing population areas. Generally, the new housing in those
areas has fallen short of meeting the demands and housing codes especially for the medium and
low cost units.
In the recent decades, the traditional view of Papua New Guinea as completely rural has seen a
considerable urban drift to the growing population centers. For the reader’s clarification, the
word “urban” when applied to Papua New Guinea should be considered as a non-rural settlement
of at least 500 people. In most cases the word “urban” is applied to a population density of at
least 1,000 persons per square mile and a total population of at least 50,000. The impact of the
tribal anarchy has been greatly magnified by the arrival of modern weapons and modern
migrants into urban areas. Also, the growing population centers have experienced
unemployment rise, various social problems, ethnic disputes, alcoholism among men, and other
various issues that follow side-by-side with the urbanization.
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1895&Itemid=206
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:urban&ei=7zU5Sob9JZLAMDb5ZAN&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title
http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:8mer8cJRyU8J:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Papua_New_Guine
a+papua+new+guinea+urbanization&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=3
While the impact of modernization brings daily change to Papua New Guinea, much of the
inherited social structure remains unchanged. The cultures of Papua New Guinea may vary
widely, but even in present day, fundamental to each society, generally include the following
characteristics: (1) notions of reciprocity and family obligations, (2) recognition and kinship
bonds with obligations which extend beyond the immediate family group, (3) the responsibility
for the household still lies within the women, be it gardening and caring for children or attending
the animals on the farm, (4) the ownership of the material wealth in the family unit, nevertheless,
is entrusted and controlled by a male elder, (5) the practice of subsistence economy, (6) a strong
communal attachment of the populace to the land which means when land is sold, traditional
communities do not recognize a permanent transfer of ownership, and (7) generally egalitarian
relationships with an emphasis on acquired status in the community rather than inherited.
Throughout Papua New Guinea land and other possessions may be inherited through the female
line, though generally, women are considered and treated as inferiors. The constitution and other
government laws affirm equal rights for men and women, but discrimination prevails as a
traditional pattern since women are still considered second class citizens. Gender violence is
widespread and hardly ever addressed by the local government. Even though violence against
women is widespread, very few victims press charges against their violators. Also, widespread
polygamy in different regions is a common cause of committed violence against one woman to
another of their husband’s wives.
http://www.distel.ca/womlist/countries/papuanewguinea.html
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA34/007/2006/en
Elaborate ceremonies of ancient rituals are still performed throughout the areas for important
social events in each of the twenty provinces with their own cultural festivals and regional
shows. Performers and visitors are heartedly welcomed to take part in these events. The elders
of the clan normally preside at the variety of ceremonies where one could witness warriors
painted and decorated in bright colors, feathers and shells.
The use of seashells as currency in Papua New Guinea was abolished in 1933. However, in
some parts of the country this heritage is still present in local customs where it is a “must” for the
groom to bring a bride price to the wedding ceremony. Depending on the area, the payment
varies by form of paying in golden-edged clam shells, food, pigs, and cash or by paying in gift,
offering, and other goods. This is known as the dowry.
Papua New Guinea still attracts tourists from all over the world with its ancient rituals which are
performed for important social events. Each of the twenty provinces has its own cultural
festivals and regional shows. Some of the most popular ones include The Hiri Moale Show in
Port Moresby, annually in September; The Mount Hagen Show which is annually in August; and
The Goroka Show performed annually in September.
http://www.culturetok.org.pg
http://www.traveldocs.com/pg/culture.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide_tpa/index.php?page=http%3A//www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide
_tpa/welcome.html
http://www.manusisland.com/pokop-stories/pokop-bk-minol01.html
http://www.milnebaytourism.gov.pg/facts.html
http://www.gabelomas.org/huli/htms/huli1.htm
http://www.perey-anthropology.net/Oksapmin_AB.htm
Education in Papua New Guinea is not highly enforced by the families or the society in general.
Only a few decades earlier the literacy was merely one-third of the total populace. In the last
few years there have been changes made which are strongly supported by local government at
upgrading and improving the system and quality of education. For primary education, students
attend state-owned community schools. For secondary education students are encouraged to go
to provincial or national high schools. The educational system of the country is based on the
Australian model which means that 11th and 12th grades are not required, but obligatory only for
those students who desire to pursue higher level education. Therefore, as the students finish 10th
grade, they have a choice of entering into one of the technical or vocational schools. The schools
they enter would depend on their interests, where they will get training in various careers and
skills.
Most of the schools and many health services continue to be operated by various churches due to
lack of funds and personnel in the government administration. Since its independence, the Papua
New Guinea government provides support for those institutions by subsidizing their operation
per pupil or per patient basis, as well as paying the salaries of the national teachers and health
staff. Some schools and clinics have been forced to close periodically for an uncertain period of
time caused by not being able to obtain promised funds from the government. The reason for
such issues to rise is due in part to the prevalent financial management issues in the
governmental cabinet.
The Department of Education in Papua New Guinea created a policy where it is stated that every
public school should set aside one hour per week for religious instruction. The lessons are taught
by the representatives from various Christian churches. Parents have the right to choose for their
students which class of the representative church their child will attend. Those students whose
parents do not wish for them to attend these religious classes are excused by the school’s
administration.
Various universities in Papua New Guinea offer a wide-spectrum of degrees in law, science,
medicine, engineering, business, architecture, forestry, arts, education, accounting, secretarial
studies, and theology. In addition to a number of public schools and universities run by the local
government, Papua New Guinea also has privately owned preschoosl and primary schools.
Papua New Guinea is home to an International Education Agency which serves as a private
education provider in 20 locations throughout the country. The Agency’s curriculum is based on
the British system.
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Papua-New-Guinea-EDUCATION.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Education_in_Papua_New_Guinea
http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=34991&URL_DO=DO_PRINTPAGE&URL_SECTION=201.html
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/papuang_25037.html
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/papuang_1607.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Leaders_Training_College
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Joseph%27s_School,_Mabiri
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ukarumpa_International_School
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Word_University
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Goroka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea_University_of_Natural_Resources_and_Environment
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Adventist_University
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea_University_of_Technology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.sil.org/sil/news/2008/step-graduation.htm
http://www.iea.ac.pg/
http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/digitaltheses/public/adt-acuvp167.23072008/01front.pdf
http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearc
h_SearchValue_0=ED356757&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED356757
http://www.austrade.gov.au/Education-to-Papua-New-Guinea/default.aspx
http://olpc.org.pg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20:first-olpc-png-teachertraining&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
http://www.distel.ca/womlist/countries/papuanewguinea.html
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90150.htm
Government employees in Papua New Guinea may retire at the age of 55, male or female, or
they can decide to retire at any age with 12 years of labor work. The government has a
mandatory retirement system that requires covering employed people in the organization/firm
with 20 or more workers and provides disability and survival benefits. Medical services are
provided free or at nominal cost, where they are available. It is a traditional custom of the
communities to take care of those who are in need as a community.
Colorful local rituals, called “sing-sings” in the native language, engage people in some parts of
the Papua New Guinea highlands. The participants as well as most of the observers paint
themselves or dress up with feathers, pearls and animal skins to represent birds, trees or
mountain spirits. Legendary important events are commonly reenacted at such festivals and
some of these events have become competitive since the 1950s. Blasius To Una became the first
Papuan musician to achieve international recognition in 1949.
http://www.morobeshow.org.pg/events/singsing.htm
http://www.arthistoryclub.com/art_history/Music_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.usd.edu/smm/Oceania/1528TaunTrumpet/Trumpet1528.html
http://www.pngbuai.com/600technology/information/waigani/drums/WS97-sec7-Norman2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ujangong.ogg
Since the discovery of Papua New Guinea by the western world, Christian missionaries
disapproved of Papuan folk music throughout the history of the country’s colonial period. The
Australian miners brought with them the mouth organ during the Gold Rush era. As early as
1872, missionaries introduced western Christian hymns and Gregorian chants in the native
language or in English and German. The combination of native and Western culture soon
developed a unique rhythm that became popularly known as rock and jazz and originated from
this region. Along side this development, other music was building its roots in the country such
as peroveta anedia (or prophet songs), ute and taibubu, and other forms of Polynesian music.
http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/sass/music/musicarchive/PNGArchive.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://books.google.com/books?id=t59UWD9woccC&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=what+is+ute+in+relation+to+songs+
in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=IcAEFwpTwb&sig=dc7NwEGLCZfZa1uOHTUR6EWCGDA&hl=en&ei=
pJdbSqr4B4XIMdOU0UI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3
http://books.google.com/books?id=YkLkQV9Za0EC&pg=PA164&lpg=PA164&dq=what+is+ute+in+relation+to+s
ongs+in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=zl0Xs2nlUZ&sig=4WcbbhhpqheWGHxxe076cte52bI&hl=en&ei=pJ
dbSqr4B4XIMdOU0UI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9
http://www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/papua-new-guinea-economy-people-culture-flag.html
http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/M/u/Music_of_Papua_New_Guinea.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=Obgdz8auwkMC&pg=PA134&lpg=PA134&dq=what+is+ute+in+relation+to+so
ngs+in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=c46PxPAZ4&sig=1prPNt0sBi1S3kEeHcnaP4ekpHg&hl=en&ei=85lbSqT7N4vmMmT_EI&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2
Even after Papua New Guinea got its independence in 1975, there was little knowledge available
of the traditional music genres in this diverse culture. It was not until 199, as a result of the
release of Voices of the Rainforest by Mickey Hart, that the outside world had a glimpse of
musical culture in Papua New Guinea.
http://www.deaddisc.com/disc/Voices_Of_The_Rainforest.htm
In a country where language varies village to village, it can be expected that expressions of the
art forms will be as diverse as they are distinctive and dramatic. According to their traditional
skills and beliefs, different people in various places in Papua New Guinea produce musical
instruments, basketwork, pottery, carvings, weapons, and other crafts. A world famous tradition
of visual art, specifically wood carving, still flourishes in the area of the Sepik River. The
carvings have been created in the forms of sculptured masks, canoes, story-boards, as well as
various plants and animals which are some of the ways expressing their belief in ancestry.
The art from this area is so much appreciated by the New Guineas that the decision was made to
build the country’s Parliament House in the style of a traditional Sepik River Haus Tambaran, or
Spirit House. Talented artists and craftsmen were summoned from all corners of Papua New
Guinea to work on the impressive carvings, mosaics, and murals. The construction of the
Parliament House, also known as the National Museum and Art Gallery, is a magnificent
testimony to the culturally diverse and fascinating nation. The building is located in the
Waigani area of the National Capital District.
http://www.culturetok.org.pg/files/_cult%20gift%20shop.htm
http://www.davidrumsey.com/amica/amico780715-104731.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=3Fm3XlYuSzAC&pg=RA1-PA179&lpg=RA1PA179&dq=pictures+of+parliament+house+in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=QaSanc7NLu&sig=hKiVsZrS
Kbrn8cB_42WoSah4BFM&hl=en&ei=u3xCStF4h7A02PjMwwc&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6
The people of Papua New Guinea are big fans of and participants in a wide variety of sports.
Through the years, popular sports have become the following: basketball, cricket, netball,
softball, volleyball, as well as most forms of football – Australian Rules Football, Rugby League,
Rugby Union, and Soccer. In the recent years, other Olympic sports, namely boxing and
weightlifting, are gaining sturdy popularity. The most popular sport, which also unofficially
holds the title as the “national sport” in the country, is the Rugby league. Australian Rules
Football has been regaining its popularity since the fallout in the 1970s. Being introduced by the
British Methodist missionaries in 1903, cricket has become one of the most favorite sports in the
Trobriand Islands and in some other provinces of Papua New Guinea where the British had the
most influence.
Foreign residents in Papua New Guinea comprise only 1% of the population. Out of those, more
than half are Australians; others come from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Philippines,
and the United States. The majority of foreigners arrived in the country as missionaries.
Official and de facto holidays in Papua New Guinea include the following: New Year’s Day
(January 1), the Queens’s Birthday (1st Monday in June), Remembrance Day (July 23),
Independence Day (September 16), Christmas Day (December 25), Boxing Day (December 26).
Movable religious holidays include Good Friday and Easter Monday.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Abelam_wooden_ancestor_figure_1_CAC.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lany_pot.JPG
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mt_Hagen_Cultural_Show_PNG_2008.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Traditional_leg_ceremony_in_Papua_New_Guinea.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Malanggan-Masken_Berlin-Dahlem.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sepik_pig_mask_Berlin-Dahlem.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sepik_sawfish_mask_Berlin-Dahlem.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ethnologisches_Museum_Dahlem_Berlin_Mai_2006_005.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Schiff_aus_Luf_1890_Berlin-Dahlem.jpg
http://www.alcheringa-gallery.com/
http://www.art-pacific.com/
http://www.niuginiarts.com/
http://www.lostworldarts.com/new_page_2.htm
http://bodyart.australianmuseum.net.au/painting/hagen.htm
http://www.galdu.org/govat/smavva/2007_08_png_pro_mp_induction_clip_image002_copy1.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Children-in-Papua-New-Guinea.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bainingsfiredancer.jpg
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, vol. 3 Asia and Oceania (Detroit: Gale Research, 1998), s.v.
“Papua New Guinea: Iatmul, Melanesians, Melpa, Motu.”
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, vol. 4 Asia & Oceania, 12th edition (Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007), s.v.
“Papua New Guinea.”
Government:
Papua New Guinea has the government type of parliamentary democracy with Commonwealth
realm. The country became independent from the Australian-administered UN trusteeship on
September 16, 1975. At the head of the executive branch of the government stands Queen
Elizabeth II, since February 6, 1952. Even though the governor general is nominated by the
parliament, it is the Queen who appoints her representative, the Governor General. Currently,
Sir Paulius Matane has been the Governor General since June 29, 2004.
The head of government is Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare since August 2, 2002. The
cabinet is made up of the National Executive Council, appointed by the governor general on the
recommendation of the prime minister. After legislative elections, the leader of the majority
party or leader of the majority coalition usually is appointed Prime Minister by the Governor
General acting in accordance with a decision of the parliament. Elections are held every five
years. The next election is scheduled for June 2012. Suffrage is universal and voting
compulsory for adults at 18 years of age.
Association with any political parties in PNG has been fluid, although regional and tribal politics
make a great impact on political events. Papua New Guinea’s political function is strongly
influenced by the culture and traditions. This has provoked the politics of the country to be
highly competitive, with most members elected based on their personal and ethnic beliefs,
supported by their voters rather than a result of party affiliation. Allegiances to a certain party
are fluid and winning candidates for a party is almost to the degree of expectancy in order to
counterfeit the needed majority to form a government. Therefore, present political parties in
Papua New Guinea are believed to lack ideological conviction, party structure is weak, and
almost exclusively rely on patronage politics, regional bases, and personalism, “a doctrine of
subjective idealism that regards personality as the means of interpreting reality.”
In 1999 the government passed the Integrity of Political Parties Act [IOPPA] which was done in
an effort to create greater stability by reducing constant votes of no confidence. Thus, the
IOPPA was forbidding members of each party in Parliament from shifting loyalty from one party
to another.
The legislative branch is formed by the unicameral National Parliament which has 109 seats. 89
members are elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The next election is to be held in June
2012. The other 20 members are from the provinces and national capital district. The
Constitution of PNG allows 126 seats in the parliament. In the 2007 elections, the National
Alliance party was the winner with 27 seats. PNG Party (PNGP) won 8 seats; People’s Action
Party (PAP) – 6 seats; United Resources Party (URP) – 6; Papua and Niugini Union Pati
(PANGU) – 5; People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) – 5; independents – 19; others – 33; 15
other parties won 4 or fewer seats.
Papua New Guinea has three levels of government which are national, provincial, and local.
Each of the 20 provinces, including the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea, have its
own Governor who represents the province as Regional Member of the Parliament which is led
by the premier. Therefore, there are more than 160 locally elected government councils in
addition to the provincial administration. As a result of the reform process of the local
government system in 1995, the former 19 provincial governments were replaced by regional
authorities. Furthermore, the reform process led to establishing significant autonomy in its
administrative affairs of the Bougainville Province.
The legal judicial system is based on English common law. In addition to being independent of
the government, the judicial system protects constitutional rights as well as interprets the laws
for the populace. The judicial branch is formed by the Supreme Court, where the Chief Justice is
appointed by the Governor General on the proposal of the National Executive Council after
consultation with the minister responsible for justice. The Supreme Court is the country’s
highest judicial authority and final court of appeal. Other judges are appointed by the Judicial
and Legal Services Commission for the following Courts: National Court, district courts which
deal with summary and non-indictable charges, and local courts, established to deal with minor
offences including matters regulated by local customs of the society.
Executive, political, or military authority is judiciary independent as it is declared in the
constitutional laws.
Although Papua New Guinea is predominantly a Christian country, it has a secular Constitution
as well as an active and unorthodox parliamentary democracy. The country’s Constitution
provides the freedom of religion. Constitutional provisions for freedom of conscience, thought,
and religion consistently have been interpreted in such way: as long as any religion does not
interfere with the freedom of others, it may be practiced or propagated anywhere in the country.
Since the country gained its Independence, the Government generally has respected this right in
practice and has been seeking to protect the freedom of religion without allowing the abuse of it
either by governmental or private actors. Although there is no state religion, the preamble of the
Constitution recognizes Christianity referring to it as to “our noble traditions and the Christian
principles that are ours.”
http://www.pngembassy.org/government.html
http://www.datec.net.pg/dir_PNG_government.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.htm
http://www.lawandjustice.gov.pg/www/html/503-agency-contacts.asp
http://www.lawandjustice.gov.pg/www/html/177-east-new-britain-to-take-on-more-coordination-.asp
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:Personalism&ei=34QdSuedBIuSMvjNscgF&sa=X&oi=g
lossary_definition&ct=title
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Parliament_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90150.htm
http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/cotisopng534/
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, vol. 3 Asia & Oceania, 12th edition (Farmington Hills: Gale Group, 2007),
s.v. “Papua New Guinea.”
Economy:
Papua New Guinea has vast amounts of natural resources, but the great disadvantage for
exploitation of those resources has been a rugged landscape and the high cost for infrastructure
development. Nearly two-thirds of export earnings come from mineral deposits such as copper,
gold, and oil. The national budget has become fairly stable through expenditure control. The
present government has a number of challenges after the last elections in 2007 as well as an
ongoing crisis situations, namely: (1) regaining investor confidence, (2) restoring integrity to
state institutions, (3) promoting economic efficiency by privatizing declining state institutions,
(4) balancing relations with its former colonial ruler, Australia, (5) worsening HIV/AIDS
epidemic, (6) chronic law and order issues, and (7) land tenure issues.
In 2008, Papua New Guinea’s Gross Domestic Product was an estimated at $13.29 billion. The
growth rate that year was 6.3%, and GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) was $2,200. In
2008, services contributed 30.6% to the GDP; industry 36.5%; and agriculture 32.8%. In 2008,
the labor force numbered 3.639 million people of which 75% were working in the agricultural
sector. The unemployment rate for 2004 was an estimated at 1.9% and up to 80% in urban areas.
In 2002, 37% of the population was below the poverty line. In 2008, the inflation rate was 8.8%.
Papua New Guinea’s budget in 2008 included $3.098 billion in revenues and $2.949 billion in
expenditures.
The main agricultural products are coffee, cocoa, copra, palm kernels, tea, sugar, rubber, sweet
potatoes, fruit, vegetables, vanilla, as well as shell fish, poultry, and pork. Following industries
are the major contributors to the economical growth of the country: copra crushing, palm oil
processing, plywood production, and wood chip production; mining of gold, silver, and copper;
crude oil production and petroleum refining. Tourism and construction projects have been other
important sources of income for the country. In 2007, the following were export partners:
Australia 27.3%; Japan 9.5%; China 5.7%. The exports amounted to $5.668 billion estimated in
2008. The import commodities, worth $3.013 billion, consisted of machinery and transport
equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, and chemicals. The import partners were Australia
(51.3%), Singapore (11.6%), China (7.9%), and Japan (5.7%).
Nearly 20% of the national budget for fiscal year 2007-2008, more than $300 million was an aid
supply from Australian government. By the end of December 2008, the external debt of Papua
New Guinea was $1.582 billion. The developing project led by a major American oil company
was to start its production in 2010. The project has a great potential to double the overall GPD
of Papua New Guinea. The country’s currency is Papua New Guinea Kina (PGK) which equaled
US $2.6956 in 2008.
Papua New Guinea has 557 airports with only 21 of those are paved runways. The main ports
and terminals for the merchant marine are Kimbe, Lae, Madang, Rabaul, and Wewak. Military
branches of the country consist of Papua New Guinea Defense Force which includes Maritime
Operations Element and Air Operations Element. Anyone 16 years of age and over may join the
National Guard. There is no conscription.
Sources consulted:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/PP.html
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/country/papua.cfm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/country-profile/papua-new-guinea-economy-people-culture-flag.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.exportpapuanewguinea.com/
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
http://www.pngembassy.org/economy.html
Literacy:
Literacy is defined as age 15 and over that can read and write. Currently only 57.3% of the total
population is considered literary: Male: 63.4%, Female: 50.9% (2000 census).
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pp.html
Land/Geography:
Papua New Guinea has a mountainous interior with the size about 1/10th larger than California.
It has only recently been explored and therefore considered to be a very new country both
geologically and topographically.
New Guinea is located in the South Pacific Rim and lies 3 degrees north and 11 degrees south of
the Equator. The island as a whole has an area of 539,350 mi (868,000 km), which the eastern
side of 287,073 mi (462,800 km) is part of Papua New Guinea. Situated in a zone where the
earth’s crust is very weak, most of the country has been formed comparatively recently through
the earth movements and volcanic activity. The location of Papua New Guinea forms a part of
the so-called “Ring of Fire” around the edge of the Pacific. Citizens of Papua New Guinea claim
their national bird to be the Raggiana Bird of Paradise, a.k.a. Paradisaea raggiana
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/pp-papua-new-guinea/bac-background
The country shares the island of New Guinea with Indonesia which is the western half of the
island, just north of Australia. To the west of Papua New Guinea is the Indonesian province of
West Papua, - Irian Jaya. To the north and east are the islands which are all of Papua New
Guinea such as Manus, New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville. Shallow draft vessels
navigate in the waters of two major rivers, - the Sepik and the Fly. The Sepik River is believed
to have the world’s longest waterways. Vast amounts of rivers start their beginnings from
different mountains and flow into the sea.
Papua New Guinea is recognized as having one of the world’s largest swamps along the
southwest coast on the Pacific Rim. After Greenland, it is believed to be the second largest island
in the world. Although vast areas of the country are wild and undeveloped, one will be taken
away by the magnificent scenery that ranges from untouched coral reefs to a number of volcanic
mountains as well as a dense tropical rainforest and large rivers.
The Papua New Guinea mainland is divided by the Owen Stanley Range which is a massive
central point in the south-east part of the central mountain chain of the country. This
geographical location was first brought to the attention of the world in 1849 by the British Royal
Army Captain Owen Stanley while he was surveying the south coast of Papua. After his
untimely death, his scientific work was commemorated in naming the range after him. Some
peaks in this chain rise over 4000 m (approximately 13,360 ft) and the tallest known as Mt.
Wilhelm in the Bismarck Mountains located in the central Papua New Guinea.
http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A020436b.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owen_Stanley_Range
Although Papua New Guinea is large, wild and rugged region, with sheer slopes, sharp ridges,
fast-running rivers, and the scars of innumerable landslides as well as the limited ground
communications, there is a rich coastal soil on the bottom of the Owen Stanley Range alongside
the swamps, flooded regions, broad sandy beaches, and sheltered bays. The climate of the
country is tropical. The largely mountainous country is subject to frequent earthquakes and
volcanic eruptions.
It is believed that well before Europeans, New Guinea gardeners were the first to invent crop
rotation as well as their complex mulches and irrigation system in conjunction with tillages used
in rotation on terraces. Due to the nature of their land, native gardeners are more successful in
practicing land cultivation than most scientific western agronomists and farmers.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tillages
A few things may be enjoyable for walkers, cavers, and climbers which include the rugged
mountain terrains and the deep cave systems. There is canoeing, kayaking, and fishing on the
river and delta system. Moreover, those who like adventures may enjoy remarkable coral reefs
around the mainland coast and the islands of the Bismarck Sea and the Milne Bay area. The
seashore of Papua New Guinea offers the world’s best diving around in its warm coastal waters.
It is also strikes the attention that only 28% of the populace has access to safe water.
http://www.rainforestinfo.org.au/background/png.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0935677.html
Papua New Guinea is divided into twenty provinces. Provided below links of the maps should
serve as a helpful visual aid for the geographical locations of each province and much more. The
provinces numbered in the first following link are as such: 1 - Central, 2 - Chimbu (Simbu), 3 Eastern Highlands, 4 - East New Britain, 5 - East Sepik, 6 - Enga, 7 - Gulf, 8 - Madang, 9 Manus, 10 - Milne Bay, 11 - Morobe, 12 - New Ireland, 13 - Northern (Oro), 14 - Bougainville
(North Solomons), 15 - Southern Highlands, 16 - Western, 17 - Western Highlands, 18 - West
New Britain, 19 - Sandaun (West Sepik), 20 - National Capital District.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_provinces_(numbers).png
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/
http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/pacific/papua-new-guinea/map.htm
http://www.goway.com/downunder/papuanewguinea/
http://www.fotw.net/flags/pg(.html
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/papua-new-guinea/
Listed below are (1) the names of each province in alphabetical order with (1) its major cities, (2)
area each province covers in square miles/kilometers, and (3) what every province is best known
for. All figures are approximate.
Bougainville (North Solomons) Province, Arawa, is located in the autonomous east region of the
country and covers the area of 3,600 m² (9,300 km²). The area is best known for the crops of
bananas, coconuts, yams, rice plantations, as well as fish harvesting. This is one of the regions
that has old copper mines.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bougainville_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-ns.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bougainville_Province
http://encyclopedia.farlex.com/Bouganville
http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Bouganville
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=7566
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/
Central Province, Port Moresby, is located on the slopes of the south-central Owen Stanley
Range and covers 11,400 m² (29,500 km²). On May 12, 1982 the National Capital District split
from Central province and became as an independent entity. Port Moresby was declared the
capital of Papua New Guinea on September 16, 1995 and is the largest city of the country. This
area is best known for Variarata National Park, crops of coconuts, and raising cattle.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Central_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-ce.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Province,_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=19926786431
http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/PUBLICAT/PUBB/PB031.htm
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/central/
Chimbu (Simbu) Province, Kundiawa, is located in the east-central part of the country and covers
the area of 2,350 m² (6,100 km²). The province is one the commercial centers of the country and
has a great local airport facility. The area is best known for the plantations of coffee and tea,
crops of sweet potatoes, and timber industry.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_chimbu_province.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-si.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simbu_Province
http://www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide_tpa/index.php?page=http%3A//www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide
_tpa/prov_simbu.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/simbu/
http://www.cababstractsplus.org/abstracts/Abstract.aspx?AcNo=19861907906
East New Britain Province, Rabaul, is located on the volcanic east side of the country and covers
6,000 m² (15,500 km²). This part of the country is best known for having status as a commercial
center of the country, attractive Solomon Islands, as well as plantations of coffee, and production
of cocoa and copra.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:East_New_Britain_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-en.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_New_Britain
http://www.igr.gov.pg/enb.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/enbp/
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_east_new_britain.html
http://www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide_tpa/index.php?page=http%3A//www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide
_tpa/prov_enbp.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/enbp/
East Sepik Province, Wewak, is located on the northwest area of Prince Alexander mountain and
covers 16,550 m² (42,800 km²). The area is best known for the great harvesting of coconuts,
bananas, sage, and yams, as well as extraction of palm oil.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:East_Sepik_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-es.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Sepik
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/esp/
Eastern Highlands Province, Goroka, is located in the north-central part of the country which is
called Central Highlands plateau and covers 4,300 m² (11,200 km²). The area is best known for
Mt. Gaharasuka National Park, coffee plantations, a variety of tropical fruits, and attraction of
tourism.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eastern_Highlands_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-eh.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Highlands_(Papua_New_Guinea)
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/ehp/
Enga Province, Wabag, is also located in the central northwest area in the Porgera gold mining
district and covers 4,950 m² (12,800 km²). Enga province was created from parts of Southern
and Western Highland provinces. The area is best known for the plantations of coffee and tea,
the crops of sweet potatoes, as well as timber industry.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Enga_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-eg.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enga_Province
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/enga/
Gulf Province, Kerema, is located in the heavily forested south-central area in the vicinity of the
Turama River and covers 13,300 m² (34,500 km²). The place is best known for the crops of
bananas and yams, fish harvesting, as well as of crocodile skins and timber industry.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_gulf_province.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-gu.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Province
http://www.igr.gov.pg/gulf.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/gulf/
Madang Province, Madang, is located in the north-central area in the vicinity of the Bismark Sea
and covers 11,200 m² (29,000 km²). The area is best known for the plantations of coffee, the
crops of copra, coconuts, extraction of palm oil, as well as harvesting a variety of fish, lobster,
prawns, and tuna.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_madang_province.PNG
http://www.fotw.net/flags/pg-md.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madang_Province
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/mad/
Manus Province, Lorengau, is located in the volcanic north-central area of atolls and reefs and
covers 810 m² (2,100 km²). The area is best known for the abundant crops of vegetables,
coconuts, palm oil extraction, fish harvesting, and timber industry.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_manus_province.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-ma.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manus_Province
http://www.igr.gov.pg/manus.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/manus/
Milne Bay Province, Alotau, is located on the southeast side of the country which is the central
place for hot springs, geysers, and volcanoes. The area covers 5,400 m² (14,000 km²). It is
known for the harvesting crops of coconuts, bananas, and the activity of animal trapping.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Milne_Bay_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-mb.html
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_milne_bay_province.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milne_Bay_Province
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/milnebay.html
http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/milnebay.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/mbp/
http://www.sbg.ac.at/ipk/avstudio/pierofun/png/png1.htm
Morobe Province, Lae, is located on the east-central side of the country. The capital is the
second largest city in the country which is famous for its university of technology. The province
covers 13,320 m² (34,500 km²). It is best known for the plantations of rice, sugarcane, and
coffee, as well as lobster harvesting.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papua_new_guinea_morobe_province.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-mo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morobe_Province
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_morobe.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/morobe/
National Capital District Province, Port Moresby, is located in the south central area of the
country and covers the area of 93 m² (240 km²). Being the largest city of the country, the capital
is also considered to be an administrative division. The entire province has established itself as
the main industrial commercial center.
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-nc.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Capital_District_(Papua_New_Guinea)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Province_(Papua_New_Guinea)
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/port_moresby.html
http://www.dplga.gov.pg/Disaster.pdf
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/ncd/
New Ireland Province, Kavieng, is located in the eastern part of the country around the vicinity
of the Solomon Sea in the Pacific Ocean and covers the area of 3,700 m² (9,600 km²). The area
is best known for the crops of copra, coconuts, palm oil extraction, and fish harvesting.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:New_Ireland_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-ni.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Ireland_Province
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/nip/
Northern (Oro) Province, Popondetta, is located in the southeast part of the country, near the
Mambare River and covers the area of 8,800 m² (22,800 km²). The province is best known for
the industry of the unique tapa cloth and the habitat of the largest butterfly in the world, - Queen
Alexandra Birdwings (Ornithoptera alexandrae.).
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oro_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-or.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapa_cloth
http://www.rainforestanimals.net/rainforestanimal/queenalexandra.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Alexandra's_Birdwing
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/oro/
Sandaun (West Sepik) Province, Vanimo, is located in the highest point of New Guinea which is
the north-central part of the country and covers the area of 14,000 m² (36,300 km²). The
province is best known for the plantations of coffee and tea, crops of maize, sugarcane, and
sweet potatoes.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:West_Sepik_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-sa.html
http://www.idrc.ca/es/ev-83047-201_730041-1-IDRC_ADM_INFO.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/sandaun/
Southern Highlands Province, Mendi, is located in the south-central part of the country and
covers the area of 9,190 m² (23,800 km²). The province is rich in oil and natural gas
development. Also, the area is known for the plantations of coffee, tea, and sugarcane, as well as
timber industry.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Southern_Highlands_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-sh.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/shp/
Western Province, Daru, is located in the southwest part of the country in the surrounding area of
Torres Strait and covers the district of 38,340 m² (99,300 km²). The province is known for the
crocodile skins that are manufactured as well as a great attraction for the tourists.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Western_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-we.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torres_Strait
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1901124/s30a.html
http://www.encyclopedia.com/RankImages.aspx?topicid=35382
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_River
http://web.vims.edu/margins/fly.htm?svr=www
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/wstpro/
Western Highlands Province, Mt. Hagen, is located on the east-central part of the country and
covers the area of 3,281 m² (8,500 km²). The province is one the commercial centers and has
flourished on tourism business. The area is also known for its coffee and tea plantations, crops
of vegetables and sweet potatoes, and timber industry.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Western_Highlands_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-wh.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/whp/
West New Britain Province, Kimbe, is located in the eastern part of the country, in the vicinity of
Kimbe Bay, and covers the area of 8,100 m² (21,000 km²). Similar to other provinces, the area
has been flourishing on tourism business. The area is best known for the crops of bananas,
cocoa, coconuts, capra, coffee plantations, palm oil extraction, as well as fish and prawn
harvesting.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:West_New_Britain_Province_Papua_Niugini_locator.png
http://flagspot.net/flags/pg-wn.html
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/print/pp.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/wnbp/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pp.html
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107875.html
http://www.pngembassy.org/topographical.html
http://www.terrapub.co.jp/journals/EPS/pdf/5210/52100727.pdf
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/oceania/pg.htm
http://www.restoringeden.org/campaigns/PNGCampaign/
More on statistics, facts, and figures on Papua New Guinea in:
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/pp-papua-new-guinea
http://www.citypopulation.de/PapuaNewGuinea.html
http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Papua_prov.html
http://www.statoids.com/upg.html
http://www.pngembassy.org/statistics.html
Barrett, David B., George T. Kurian, and Todd M. Johnson. World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey
of Churches and Religions in the Modern World, vol. 2: The World by Segments: Religions, Peoples, Languages,
Cities, Topics (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).
History
Based on the relatively little archeological work of discovering human presence in Papua New
Guinea, there is evidence that parts of the country were occupied as early as 60,000 years ago.
Those who occupied this part of the globe probably arrived during the Ice Age by sea from
Southeast Asia when the distances between the islands were shorter and the levels of the sea
were lower. An indication of the intensive agriculture existence on the island around 7000 B.C.
is based on few reminisces of swamp-drainage channels and other water-management structures
as well as well-structured, man-made landscapes.
http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/png/png_brief.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/442191/Papua-New-Guinea/53961/History
The first Europeans to discover the main island are believed to be Portuguese and Spanish
navigators in the early part of the 16th century. Spanish explorer, Don Jorge de Meneses, first
sighted the island around 1526 and had been given a credit to name it “Papua” from a Malay
word which describes the fizzled texture of the Melanesian hair. Less than a few decades later
another Spanish maritime explorer, Yñigo Ortiz de Retez, applied the term “New Guinea” for the
people resembled to him the inhabitants of the African Guinea coast.
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/New_Guinea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Y%C3%B1igo_Ortiz_de_Retez
Early explorers discovered the inhabitants of New Guinea had a stable and productive
agricultural system, although they still relied on the primitive aid of bone, wood, and stone tools.
Indigenous populations traded with the Europeans along the coast, mainly with products such as
pottery, shell ornaments, different kind of food, etc. One of the prominent contributors in
describing the life and culture of the indigenous people to the rest of the world was a Ukrainian
ethnologist, anthropologist, and biologist named Nicholai Miklukho-Maklai, who lived among
native tribes for several years at the beginning of the 19th century.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=61701332
http://www.pngembassy.org/history.html
http://www.fashionencyclopedia.com/fashion_costume_culture/Early-Cultures-Discovered-Peoples-andOceania/Oceania-Island-Culture.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholai_Miklukho-Maklai
It was not until the late 19th century when the world started learning about Papua New Guinea
and its rich culture. In 1828 the Dutch Crown claimed the western half of New Guinea which is
present day Indonesia (aka Irian Jaya.). From 1884-1914 a German administration was
occupying the northern coast of New Guinea, including Bouganville, forming a German New
Guinea, also known as Kaiser-Wilhelmsland. The largest trading firm in the Pacific, Godeffroy
Hamburg, began trading copra in the New Guinea islands to gratify the Europeans with the
growing need for coconut oil.
http://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/fiji/fiji-arthropods/pdf/favii-03.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Schmeltz
The southern part, Papua, was invaded by the Great Britain in 1884 and remained its colony until
1902. During the three year gap, 1902-05, the possession of Papua belonged to the authority of
the Commonwealth of Australia. In 1905 British New Guinea was passed to the newly
independent Australia as the Territory of Papua. In 1920, on behalf of the Commonwealth of
Australia, the British Royal Crown assumed the mandate from the League of Nations to govern
the Territory of New Guinea. Due to the harsh landscape and isolation of the communities, the
impact of colonizing different areas of the country varied throughout the land.
During World War I, Australian troops occupied German New Guinea and gained military
control of the territory until 1921. After the Australian army liberated Papua from the Japanese
occupants who ruled there from 1942-1945, Papua and New Guinea were combined and called
the Territory of Papua and New Guinea under the Papua and New Guinea Provisional
Administration Act, 1945-46.
In 1947 the Territory of Papua New Guinea came under the Australian administration as a
United Nations trusteeship. Under the Australian administration, Papua New Guinea developed
a cash economy and democratization of the central government. The Administration Act
provided for a Legislative Council which was established in 1951, a judicial organization, a
public service, and a system of local government. Replacing the Legislative Council in 1964, the
House of Assembly renamed the territory to Papua New Guinea in 1973. Under the
administration of Michael Somare who became the first Prime Minister of a democratically
elected government, the House of Assembly provided the citizens of the country with a greater
role in its political decision-making process.
The country gained full independence from Australia on September 16, 1975. Due to the
overabundance of political parties in the House of Assembly of Papua New Guinea, coalition
governments in different regions of the country, loyalties shifting from one party to another, lack
of confidence in the government administration, etc., all that opened the wide door for the
instability in political actions starting 1977. Michael Somare was elected four times as Prime
Minister since Papua New Guinea’s independence and at the moment serves a second
consecutive term since the election in 2007.
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Asia-and-the-Pacific/Papua-New-Guinea-COUNTRY-HISTORYAND-ECONOMIC-DEVELOPMENT.html
http://www.world66.com/asia/southeastasia/papuanewguinea/history
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107875.html
The country’s immense wealth of the mineral resources has led to both economic expansion and
political disturbance, especially in the case with the attempted secessions in1988-97 of the
Bougainville Island. Guerrillas of Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) started a rebellion
movement in early 1989 which turned into a violent secessionist revolution. The BRA shutdown
the major source of economic revenue for Papua New Guinea which was a copper mine owned
by an Australian company. The former demanded a greater share of the earnings than the local
people made in the copper mine.
Claiming over 20,000 lives over the course of nine years, active hostilities ended with permanent
ceasefire and a treaty signed in April 1998. In order to keep the situation stable, the island was
watched by the UN observer mission and a regional peace-monitoring force who observe the
local government as well as the provincial leaders. Granting the island the broad autonomy in
administration, an agreement of peace was signed between the Papua New Guinea government
and the ex-combatants in August 2001. The UN mission and the monitoring force have
established an interim administration, working toward complete surrender of weapons, the
election of a provincial government, and an eventual referendum on independence.
http://asiapacific.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA340101997?open&of=ENG-PNG
http://www.tamilnation.org/conflictresolution/countrystudies/bouganville/010829bougainville.htm
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Bougainville_Province
http://www.thecommonwealth.org/news/152816/152865/185342/271108randupacific.htm
The relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea continues to show signs of strain.
The Australian government designed an aid package which was to help end gang violence at the
same time restore law and order in the country. For that reason, Australian police officers were
deployed to Papua New Guinea in 2004. The following year the deployment of such aid was
overruled by the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea calling it unconstitutional. Australian
police officers were forced to withdraw from the country.
The last parliamentary election in Papua New Guinea was held on June 30, 2007.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinean_general_election,_2007
http://www.archive-it.org/collections/920
http://www.pngec.gov.pg/
http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-33624420_ITM
http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/png/png_brief.html
http://www.islandnet.com/~kpolsson/worldhis/wor2007apr.htm
http://www.worldtimeserver.com/PG_in_the_news.aspx http://www.pngembassy.org/history.html
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pp.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2797.htm
http://www.nationmaster.com/country/pp-papua-new-guinea/bac-background
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Papua+New+Guinea
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/png/about_destin/north_solomons.html
http://www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide_tpa/index.php?page=http%3A//www.pngbd.com/travel/tourism_guide
_tpa/prov_north_solomon.html
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/provinces/png_east_new_britain.html
http://www.pngtourism.org.pg/png/export/sites/TPA/provinces/enbp/
http://www.michie.net/pnginfo/milnebay.html
Worldmark Encyclopedia of the Nations, vol. 3 Asia & Oceania, 12th edition (Farmington Hills: Gale Group, 2007),
s.v. “Papua New Guinea.”
Christian History
One of the earliest areas in the territory of New Guinea where Europeans established their
permanent settlement was the stretch of coastline in the Central Province which is the homeland
of prominent the Motu people. Pockets of this culture are also located throughout the provinces
such as on the stretch of the coastline in the Central province, Oro, Gulf, Milne Bay, and a few in
the West. Although some of the traditional beliefs and ceremonies are still maintained in Motu
society and even in some instances have been carried into Christian practices, it is believed that
the Motu culture is the first group of people in Papua New Guinea to be exposed to Christianity
brought by the European missionaries and accepted the new religion quickly and with no
repercussions for the messengers of the Good News.
http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Motu-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Motu.html
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=14946182
http://www.christusrex.org/www1/pater/JPN-motu.html
Christian missionaries have been very active in Melanesian culture which is spread throughout
New Britain, New Ireland, and Manus provinces in Papua New Guinea. Similar to other cultural
groups of the country, native religions are still practiced in many areas, although in modified
version. As missionaries learn the languages present in this region, build relationships, and meet
the needs of the locals, the effectiveness of their work has been seen through the translation of
the New Testament into those languages.
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Melanesians.html
Roman Catholic missionary orders founded the Melanesian Institute in 1970. Leaders from the
following congregations of the Evangelical Lutherans, the United, and the Anglican churches,
joined in the vision of the Institute endeavors in 1974. Together, these churches have made
significant contributions to the development of the country in different areas. Effective work has
been achieved in the country’s educational improvement, health concerns, as well as social
matters through public and/or private schools, hospitals, youth work, pastoral initiatives, alcohol
and/or drug counseling, and rehabilitation of young criminals. Among other accomplishments,
the Melanesian Institute offers various orientation courses, carries out research projects, and
publishes respected journals such as the Catalyst and Point Series.
http://www.mi.org.pg/
The majority of the Melpa culture in Papua New Guinea is primarily located in the Western
Highlands Province. Non-Christian religions, for the most part ghost mythology, remain the
focal point of Melpa culture to the present day. The first encounter of the Motu people with
Christianity started as early as 1933 after the first Leahy expedition. It was then that Mount
Hagen, the capital of the Western Highlands and the third largest city in Papua New Guinea,
became a trade, administrative, and missionary center. Today a number of Melpa followers of
the Christian belief practice their faith and attend churches on a regular basis.
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Melpa.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hagen
Located along the middle course of the Sepik River in East Sepik Province, there is very little
information available on the Iatmul language. Christian missionaries have been active among
Iatmul people since the 1930s. Due to the traditional religious beliefs in the Iatmul culture,
missionaries faced challenges ata point they knew very little about. Some of those were: (1) the
culture of the Iatmul people was centered on a large body of myths; (2) belief in the ghosts of the
dead would create havoc among the communities; (3) worshiping the spirits of the rivers, forests,
and swamps may have explained the tightly interwoven natural and supernatural world for this
culture. Despite the challenges, the result of the missionaries’ determination and their
commitment to the Great Commission may be seen today in many converts to Christianity along
the Sepik River as well as the successful translation of the New Testament into Iatmul language
by the missionary linguists.
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Norway-to-Russia/Iatmul.html
http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Iatmul-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html
Making a statement of being the largest church in Papua New Guinea, the Roman Catholic
Church entered the country with a group of French missionaries from the Society of Mary
establishing their office on Woodlark Island in 1847 in Milne Bay Province. After a successful
beginning of the mission endeavors on Rooke Island (Umboi Island) the following year, the
work was abruptly stopped due to the untimely death of Bishop Collomb in 1849. Even though
the mission recommenced in 1852 by the Foreign Mission administration, the activities of the
organization only lasted for a short period of time. A few decades later the work of the mission
resumed. In 1897 some Fijian catechists and three priests from the Society of Mary moved to
Bougainville Province from the North Solomon Islands. They successfully restored the efforts of
the mission. Striving to make education available to all ages in the most remote places of the
region, the mission continues to take care of the parishioners both spiritually and physically, as
well as serving the indigenous population wherever needs required to be met.
Other Roman Catholic missions established different organizations in the country with purpose
in their hearts and minds, ministering to the indigenous population were: (1) Missionaries of the
Sacred Heart in the German territories of New Britain (1882), Bismarck Archipelago (1888) as
well as in British Papua and (2) Catholic Missions Society of the Divine Word on the northwest
coast of the New Guinea (1895). The formation of Roman Catholic hierarchy in Papua New
Guinea took place in 1966. While most of the churches in the country have been led by
indigenous leaders, the Roman Catholic clergy still employs expatriates for the services
performed.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodlark_Island
http://www.galenfrysinger.com/woodlark_trobrian.htm
http://mapsof.net/Umboi_Island/
http://www.gcatholic.com/dioceses/country/PG.htm
http://www.catholicpng.org.pg/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholicism_in_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.michie.net/png_faqs/07097884_1.shtml
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Britain
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bismarck_Archipelago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territory_of_Papua
The Methodist Church is believed to be the first one to send Protestant missionaries to Papua
New Guinea. The beginnings of their prominent work in the country started with one man,
George Brown (1835-1917), who was an English missionary and ethnographer. Upon his
immigration to New Zealand in 1850, he became a Wesleyan missionary and in 1860 was
ordained as a pastor in Sydney, Australia. In 1870 the Rev. G. Brown started missions work at
Molot, on the Duke of York Islands, together with Fijian and Samoan families who were his
teachers and preachers. As a leader who was committed to church building, medicine, and
educational work, he achieved the high status of preacher among the indigenous population in
the area.
The effective work of the mission quickly spread to East New Britain and New Ireland
provinces. Due to their extensive work, many of the missions on the Gazelle Peninsula and
surrounding areas were responsible for their own churches by 1900. Rev. G. Brown set up a
center for worship on Dobu Island along with many other evangelists around the South Pacific
Islands. A few years later, Methodists from New Zealand began to spread their work east from
the Solomon Islands and were extremely active in Bougainville Province in the 1920s. After
World War II the Methodists began to move into the Southern Highlands working with the major
tribal groups in the area.
Presently there are Methodist’s missions throughout Papua New Guinea mainland and its islands.
The Methodist Church continues to be the most active Protestant church in the rural areas of the
country.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Brown_(missionary)
http://viswiki.com/en/George_Brown_(missionary)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_York_Islands
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazelle_Peninsula
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobu_Island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Islands
The organization that was closely working with Rev. G. Brown on the mission field of Papua
New Guinea was the London Missionary Society which was formed in 1795 as the missionary
arm of the Congregational movement in England. The Society started its involvement in mission
work in Papua in 1871 with fourteen married couples who landed at Daru and Redscar Bay near
Port Moresby. In a short period of time, sister-missions were established up and down the
southern coast of Papua, being controlled from Port Moresby. Like the Methodists, they also
experienced a major set back in the ministry due to deaths and low recruitments.
The London Missionary Society formed Papua Ekelesia in 1962, the first national church in
Papua New Guinea. In 1968 the London Missionary Society and the Methodist Church changed
the name from Papua Ekelesia and together, with some Presbyterians, became the United Church
of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The United Church of the country is entirely
indigenous. Leslie Boseto was the first indigenous moderator of the United Church in 1972.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Missionary_Society
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daru
http://itouchmap.com/?c=pp&UF=-2199005&UN=-3043545&DG=HDLD
http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/biorpchalmers.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=T5pPpJl8E5wC&pg=PA189&lpg=PA189&dq=who+is+Rev.+G.+Brown,+meth
odist&source=bl&ots=CulLcqIOyX&sig=4xd3A2aFUnkTcJ9j7Y7S8fJCH_Y&hl=en&ei=3FNnSrbBLMuWlAfc68
DdDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6
http://books.google.com/books?id=V1UXAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA468&lpg=PA468&dq=%22london+missionary+soc
iety%22+and+%22george+brown%22&source=bl&ots=hhOyhHA66h&sig=kOUKCha2ZvDGi1d2gMRUak2eLJk
&hl=en&ei=7rJoSvn6CI3kMcnN4M8M&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
http://books.google.com/books?id=OFpaEvSgEGsC&pg=PA227&lpg=PA227&dq=%22sacred+heart%22+and+%2
2roman+catholic+mission%22+in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=hLOSlvZKNi&sig=2N-nmMEVf0ljnL_XsQGHt5cvns&hl=en&ei=6htuSonKDpiq8gSw_OWNDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6
The Evangelical Lutheran Church claims to be the largest Protestant church in Papua New
Guinea, claiming over 20% of the population. They began their work along the northeast coast
of New Guinea by the German Neuendettelsau Mission at Finschhafen in 1886. Another
German Lutheran organization of the Rhineland Mission started its work on the northwest coast
in 1887. In 1956 the Lutheran missions formed the Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Guinea
which is present-day Papua New Guinea (a.k.a. ELC-PNG.). The same year, the Lutheran
Churches which belonged to the Missouri Synod, mainly located in the Western Highlands,
became Guthius Lutheran Church. Zurewe Zurenuo became the first indigenous bishop in 1973.
That same year the Lutheran Church commissioned an exemplary rural development program
called Yangpela Didiman or “Young Farmer.”
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/pacific/papua-new-guinea/evangelical-lutheran-church-ofpapua-new-guinea.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.elcpng.org.pg/
http://www.lutheranworld.org/Directory/ASI/EvLuthCchPapuaNewGuinea-EN.html
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=6683
Another prominent Lutheran ministry that played an important role in spreading the Gospel by
ministering to the indigenous population was the Barmen Mission. The mission arrived in New
Guinea in 1887 and set up its headquarters in Madang Province. Due to the harsh living
conditions, out of the 41 missionaries working in the province 21 of them left and 16 died within
a 25-year period. In spite of such calamities at its beginning, the work slowly began to grow and
by World War I the ministry of the mission was stronger and more effective. Australian and
American Lutheran churches in Papua New Guinea took over the missions after the World War
I. Shorty after, the consolidation of two missions, Neuendettelsau Mission at Finschhafen and
Barmen Mission around Madang, led to the greater impact of missionary work in the region and
beyond its borders. The 1920s-30s were marked as the most significant for the mission as its
missionaries made great strides in exploring the Highlands of Papua New Guinea along with
spreading the Gospel and Lutheran teachings to the most populated areas of this region.
During the World War II, members of the Lutheran churches in the country demonstrated an
incredible perseverance of their faith despite intense persecution. As a result of their
determination, many indigenous people were converted. After the war over, Lutheran believers
in Wabag, the capital of Enga Province, erected a building of a church where they could come
and worship together as a community reaching out to people outside the church’s walls.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madang_Province
http://books.google.com/books?id=r0ktfzHcJPYC&pg=PA330&lpg=PA330&dq=barmen+mission+in+papua+new+
guinea&source=bl&ots=Mve5VWMGLU&sig=K8qJ8QwdHpC4ZjrfR8nkge3WUJE&hl=en&ei=Ord5Sq_zBoreMZ
HXpaMO&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#v=onepage&q=&f=false
A “Sphere of Influence Treaty” gave the Anglican Church an area from Cape Ducie to Mitre
Rock in 1890. Free from competition from other missions, the treaty allowed the Anglicans 50
years of expansion. The first Anglican missionaries to eastern New Guinea, Rev. Maclaren and
Rev. King, landed on the Dogura coast, Milne Bay Province, in 1891. Due to the untimely death
of Rev. King and the great expanse of territory to be covered, it was only in 1896 that the
missionaries were able to baptize their first converts from the indigenous population.
The effectiveness of the church’s work was disturbed due to two major set backs. The first one
was caused by the Japanese army during World War II, who set out to destroy the mission from
its roots. Though many indigenous and expatriates were murdered, the missionaries continued
their work and stayed with the local people, ministering to them through every venue they could.
The other disruption was caused by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Livingston in 1951. Serving as
an important medium between the Catholic and Protestant missions, the work of the Anglican
Church in Papua New Guinea still acts as the center for all Anglican missionary work today on
the Dogura coast. George Ambo, the first Anglican Melanesian, become bishop in 1960.
The Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea grew to be an independent province in 1977 and is
made up of five dioceses – Aipo Rongo, Dogura, New Guinea Islands, Popondota, and Port
Moresby. The major emphasis of the Church is currently on the development of small faith
communities, helping them to achieve greater self-reliance. An agency of the Diocese of Port
Moresby, called Anglicare, is making a significant contribution to AIDS education through a
StopAIDS program both in the nation’s capital and in the country as a whole. The Anglican
Education Division looks after 3 high schools, about 100 community schools, and 2 vocational
centres. The Anglican Health Service runs 3 health centers which are rural hospitals, 12 health
sub-centers, and 12 aid posts.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://itouchmap.com/?c=pp&UF=-2195767&UN=-3039129&DG=RK
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglican_Church_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Anglican_Church_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://anglicanhistory.org/aus/png/white_king1929/01.html
http://anglicanhistory.org/aus/png/chignell/01.html
http://www.maplandia.com/papua-new-guinea/milne-bay/dogura/
http://anglicanhistory.org/aus/png/
http://www.csu.edu.au/special/accc/worddocs/Papers%20&%20Publications/AAMS%20missions%20conference/W
ithycombe.pdf
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/provincialnews/png/client/news/client_news_detail.cfm?naid=894
http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/PNG/rogation&notes.html
http://www.jstor.org/pss/482799
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=P1
http://portmoresby.anglican.org/org/index.html
The Society of the Divine Word (SVD from the Latin, Societas Verbi Divini) mission with its
German founder and director in present-day Papua New Guinea, Eberhard Michael Limbrock,
began its extensive work in Aitape in Sandaun Province in 1896. Upon the completion of his
extensive education, Limbrock became ordained to the priesthood, a papal appointee with a
quasi-Episcopal jurisdiction as well as assigned to possible seminary teaching. His new mission
expanded all the way down the north coast.
In 1906, Limbrock established a large center at Alexishafen near Madang. Due to the Stone Age
level of technology, lack of basic economic infrastructures, and means of communication, it was
almost impossible for the mission to be in touch with the modern world of the time. Being a
practical man, Limbrock was convinced that in order to make his spiritual mission possible, his
frontier mission would have to become deeply involved in the advancing and development of the
living standards among the indigenous population.
One of the important goals of the mission was to achieve financial independency from the
homeland. For that, the mission undertook major projects such as the development of schools
and health facilities, large scale food production, cattle raising, new agricultural techniques, road
and bridge construction, plantation growth, and other industries. After building docks along the
seashore, the mission also acquired cargo ships. It is significant to point out that such
considerable effort became an integral part of the spiritual challenge itself. When Limborck died
in 1931, the mission counted over 20,000 converts and 5,000 catechumens. Later, the Society of
the Divine Word mission made its way into the Highland and Sepik areas. Even today, the
mission continues to be very active in its ministries.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Society_of_the_Divine_Word
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aitape
http://books.google.com/books?id=oQ8BFk9K0ToC&pg=PA402&lpg=PA402&dq=Fr.+E.+Limbrock,+the+Society
+of+the+Divine+Word&source=bl&ots=_5_hkQiCc&sig=yIdZx8k0pG5lfO1EzQfcR6svywo&hl=en&ei=iNBxStX8BIKwNqzkibEM&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result
&resnum=3
As an establishment of a Capuchin friar, Franciscans around the world have always been
producers of missionary endeavors. The Capuchin Order mission began its work in the Southern
Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea in 1955. A few years later Capuchin friars were
asked to begin and recruit a staff for the urgently needed seminary based on the numerous
growing dioceses in the country. Most of the Capuchin friar missionaries in Papua New Guinea
are from the United States. Other orders in the country are from Australia. Effective work and
ministry of the Capuchin vice-province in the country should also be credited to the friars from
different parts of the world who strive to help the indigenous population understand the value of
life and love for God.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://www.capuchin.com/missions/index.php
With a long history of refusing to be bound to any geographical area in Papua New Guinea, the
Seventh-day Adventist Missions are a symbol of a strong force in the country’s society for more
than a century, now. The first entry which represented the denomination was made by the means
of sending Christian literature with the London Missionary Society in 1891. Between 1902 and
1905 a few Adventist church leaders from England made short visits to safe areas of the native
villages in New Guinea. The Seven-day Adventists pioneer missionaries settled at Port Moresby
in 1908. From there they were both meeting the needs of the locals and spreading the Gospel to
the harshest conditioned areas of the country.
The first official church started by the missionaries on the island was in 1910. It is believed that
the first owned and operated mission plane anywhere in the world was the “Andrew Stewart”
that belonged to the Seven-day Adventist Missions. The Mission concentrated on education of
the locals and on building more mission stations. While spreading the Gospel, the missionaries
made a choice not to impose a sophisticated set of rules and regulations based on European
Christian tradition. Rather, they were challenged with demonstrating a life of a Christian love
and a concept of freedom from guilt and fear which had compelling power among the indigenous
religion of spirit worshippers.
Today, Seventh-day Adventist churches are known for their educational, health, and
humanitarian services to the communities around them and beyond their borders. Many elected
politicians in the national parliament and/or on the local level of the political life around the
country are members of the Seventh-day Adventist churches.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://adventist.org.au/about_adventists/history/adventism_in_the_south_pacific/papua_new_guinea
http://news.adventist.org/1999/07/seveth-ay-avetist-becomes-papua-ew-guieas-eputy-prime-miister.html
Baptist’s missionaries from Australia started the work in Enga Province in 1949 where they set
up missions at Lumusa and Baiyer River. Due to the rugged nature of the area and rural
subsistence farming, the mission’s beginnings were not one of the easiest. However, lack of any
other Christian missions in the region freed Baptists from unnecessary competition in the process
of their establishment. Up to present day, much of the natives combine their Christian faith with
some pre-Christian traditional indigenous practices which present a challenge to the missionaries
as they help the believers understand the Truth from the false teachings.
Today, the followers of the Baptist teaching from Enga Province are an integral part of the
Baptist World Alliance. This affiliation allows Baptist missionaries from all over the world to
come and serve in Papua New Guinea as they meet the needs of the indigenous population from
spiritual to moral matters. Most of the Baptist churches in this province are located in major
cities.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
www.bwanet.org
http://abts.cornerstone.edu/sites/png/history/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baptist_Union_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.floridabaptisthistory.org/docs/monographs/baptists.pdf
Even though most Christian churches are under indigenous leadership, Papua New Guinea still
has a large number of Christian missionaries. New Tribes Mission, an international evangelical
Christian organization, claims to be the largest missionary group present in the country, having
approximately 390 missionaries on the field in this part of the world. The main focus of the
mission has been reaching out to people groups where the Bible translation is not available. By
building contacts and establishing relationships with the indigenous population, the purpose
statement of the mission affirms that being, “Motivated by the love of Christ, and empowered by
the Holy Spirit, New Tribes Mission exists to assist the ministry of the local church through the
mobilizing, equipping, and coordinating of missionaries to evangelize unreached people groups,
translate the Scriptures, and see indigenous New Testament churches established that truly
glorify God.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Tribes_Mission
http://www.ntm.org/png/
The Christian leadership of Papua New Guinea developed organizations with an intention to
better the communication among the churches in the country as well as to use different venues in
spreading the Word of God. Thus, the Evangelical Alliance was formed by the Evangelicals in
1964 and the National Council of Pentecostal Churches was founded in 1979. Some Evangelical
Christian churches in Papua New Guinea belong to more than one of these organizations and
most of them cooperate with the larger churches in such efforts as media and health work.
However, many of those are rather reluctant to enter into serious ecumenical dialogues with
different denominations unlike the administrations of the Roman Catholic and the Anglican
Churches have done.
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
Founded as the Melanesian Council of Churches in 1965 and renamed as Papua New Guinea
Council of Churches in 1991 the organization primarily consists of Christian members. The
Council of Churches serves to promote interfaith dialogue and understanding among various
churches, denominations, and the government. With the exception of Seven Day Adventist, the
major churches include one Baptist Union and the Salvation Army who also collaborate with the
Papua New Guinea Council of Churches.
Along with generally high activity of foreign Christian missionaries, the Council of Churches has
also stated the active work of both Muslim and Confucian missionaries. With the increasing
presence of Muslim converts, the government allowed the building of a mosque in the Port
Moresby suburb of Hohola. One of the main reasons of such great Islamic influence is the
sharing its long land border with Indonesia which has one of the world’s largest Muslim
population within the country.
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/pacific/papua-new-guinea/pngcc.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea
The Summer Institute of Linguistics has been engaged in a challenging task of translating the
Christian Bible into more than 800 languages of Papua New Guinea since 1956. Together, with
the Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association, the Summer Institute of Linguistics has
partnered with the Department of Education and local communities in linguistic research,
literacy, Scripture use, and training in improving the literacy of the indigenous population for
more than a few decades now. Moreover, the Papua New Guinea Department of Education
heavily relies on the Summer Institute of Linguistics to produce translations of the Bible for
government-sponsored religious instruction in schools. Out of 800 identified languages, there
are from 300-341 ones left to indentify. As of June 2007, the New Testament, the second portion
of the Bible, has been translated into 163 indigenous languages of the country by the Summer
Institute of Linguistics.
The Summer Institute of Linguistics, along with other national organizations, assists the local
government in implementing a national education policy. Although communities are calling for
education to reflect and reinforce their language, as well as to provide for indigenous
development and not westernization, one of the main problems throughout Papua New Guinea is
a lack of educational materials and trained teachers in the villages. The Summer Institute of
Linguistics is working to provide such places with books and training programs that will
preserve the local languages.
www.sil.org.
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90150.htm
Another prominent Christian literature carrier in Papua New Guinea is the CLC International
Christian Bookworld. The organization has opened its shops throughout the country striving to
meet the needs of the locals, helping to increase the percentage of the literacy in the country as it
makes progress towards helping people with their education.
http://www.clcaustralia.org/png/
http://www.pngembassy.org/religion.html
http://tlj.unm.edu/tribal-law-journal/articles/volume_1/zuni_cruz/index.php
http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=14946182
http://books.google.com/books?id=Yo9QBsmJXwoC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=motu+people+and+christianity&
source=bl&ots=bno5Kr3Yq9&sig=YKxacMm04lBSOjAtDi7XLBSQprQ&hl=en&ei=TgluSs7SA4KOlQfauti1Ag&
sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1
http://books.google.com/books?id=OFpaEvSgEGsC&pg=PA130&lpg=PA130&dq=motu+people+and+christianity
&source=bl&ots=hLOSlu2NGo&sig=6gYVtplNkwjffR4GFE0ZxztaJsw&hl=en&ei=VwtuSoLZEdK2lAf_2em1Ag
&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, vol. 3 Asia and Oceania (Detroit: Gale Research, 1998), s.v.
“Papua New Guinea: Iatmul, Melanesians, Melpa, Motu.”
Fahlbusch, Erwin and Geoffrey William Bromiley. The Encyclopedia of Christianity, vol. 4 P - Sh (Grand Rapids:
Eerdmans, 2005), s.v. “Papua New Guinea.”
Religions
In the tribal societies of Papua New Guinea, indigenous religions remain important. Either
exclusively or in conjunction with another faith, about 34 % of the population practices some
sort of traditional beliefs which vary widely in rituals and societal values. These tribal religions
are actively practiced throughout the country by both non-Christian and nominal portions of the
indigenous population of the country. The religious observances are an integral part of the
traditional culture, mainly animism, also known as spirit worship, and ancestor cults.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2586700226.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea#Religion
http://www.infoplease.com/country/profiles/papua-new-guinea.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animist
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_worship
Non Christian
Baha’i (30,500) - The first Papua New Guineans became followers of the Baha’i World Faith
around 1950. Today people of this belief system represent every layer of the society throughout
Papua New Guinea. Followers of the Baha’i faith experienced a very rapid growth from 2 local
spiritual assemblies in 1964 to 67 in 1973. The strongest assemblies in the country are located in
Gulf Province, Eastern Highlands Province, and around New Britain Province. The Baha’i
community works together toward improvement of the social and economic development in the
areas they live and beyond their borders. The growth rate was 0.7% over a 25-year period, 19701995.
http://www.bahai.org/
Buddhist - Most Buddhist followers in Papua New Guinea are of Chinese descent. There are
close to 10,000 followers of the Buddhism religion in the country. The growth rate was 0.2%
over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism
Chinese folk religion (2,950): The belief system is practiced by Chinese people around the world.
Its social practices primarily include popular elements of Confucianism and Taoism as well as
some remnants of Mahayana Buddhism. The growth rate was 0.1% over a 25-year period, 19701995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_folk_religion
Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints (2,695) - The organization started its activities in
Papua New Guinea with the co-operating foreign missionary society in 1979 under the same
name from the USA. The organization belongs to the Marginal Christians Later-day Saints or
Mormons Megabloc. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 28 congregations with 4,500
individuals affiliated with the organization. The growth rate was 6.25% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
http://www.lds.org.au/
Ethno-religionist (151,400) - The ethno-religionist movement began in the country around 1890
due to the impact of Western culture and since the military campaigns of the World War II.
Animists follow traditional religions in several hundred tribes throughout Papua New Guinea.
Together with the ancestral cults and modern nativistic or syncretistic revitalization movements
the followers of this belief system are termed as cargo cults. The term describes movements
which combine traditional elements with Christian and Western secular elements. Today there
are about 120 distinct non-Christian cargo cults in the country. The growth rate was 3.7% over a
25-year period, 1970-1995.
Greek Orthodox Church, AD Australia (150) - The church started with the Greek Orthodox
missionaries from Greece and belongs to the Greek Orthodox Megabloc. It is also under the
jurisdiction of the ecumenical patriarchate in Constantinople as well as under the Archdiocese in
Australia & Exarchate All Oceania. According to the 1995 statistics, there was 1 congregation
with 300 individuals affiliated with this church. The growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year
period, 1970-1995.
Islam (1,000) - Most followers of the Islamic religion in Papua New Guinea are foreign residents
from Africa and Southeast Asia. The percentage of converted indigenous people to Islam in the
country is very small. Currently there are seven Islamic centers in Papua New Guinea
concentrated in major cities such as Port Moresby (Central Province), Baimuru (Gulf Province),
Daru (Western Province), Marshall Lagoon (Morobe Province), the Musa Valley (Northern
Province), and throughout West Britain and New Ireland provinces. An Islamic mosque with the
capacity for 1,500 worshipers is found in Port Moresby.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Papua_New_Guinea
Indigenous cargo-cult churches (1,300) - In Papua New Guinea, this group of churches have a
history of over 30 Christianized movements from 1893 to 1980. The churches in this group
belong to the Independent Marginal Christian Megabloc and many of them have been shortlived. Mostly, membership of the churches consists of the indigenous black population.
Divisions based on Catholic schisms over the unorthodox syncretistic of Christology as well as
claiming a second or supplementary source of revelation in addition to the Bible. According to
the 1995 statistics, there were 25 congregations present in the country with 2,000 individuals
affiliated with this group. The growth rate was 2.81% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cargo_cult
Jehovah's Witnesses (3,434) - Jehovah’s Witnesses started their movement in Papua New Guinea
in 1938. The churches in this group belong to Jehovah’s Witnesses Marginal Christian
Megabloc (a.k.a. Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses and Russellites.). According to the 2005
statistics, there were 52 congregations present in the country with 15,000 affiliates with this
group. The growth rate was 3.28% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah's_Witnesses
Judaism (500) - More likely the Jewish community gradually established itself in Papua New
Guinea prior to and/or after the World War II after they arrived in Australia due to the
persecution of the Jewish population all over Europe. The community has a very minimal
growth rate in the country over the period of years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaism
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=104243&rog3=PP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Australia
Non-Religious/other (10,250) - People who claim to be non-religious are mostly Europeans
and/or Chinese who live in Papua New Guinea for different reasons and circumstances.
Paliau Church (600) - The only cult to survive in Papua New Guinea for any length of time as an
organized church so far is the Paliau Church on Manus Island. A few churches in Manus
Province pulled together as a group due to the schisms from the Roman Catholic Church. The
local policeman, Paliau, began the movement in 1946. The group belongs to the Independent
Reformed Catholic Megabloc and now links with Manus Evangelical Church and other
Protestant missions. According to the 1995 statistics, there were 10 congregations with 1,200
individuals affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was 0.73% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
http://www.pngbuai.com/100philosophy/paliau-movement/default.htm
Peli (Hawk) Association (2,000) - The work of this group in Papua New Guinea started its
activities in 1971 and belongs to the Independent Marginal Megabloc. The peak number of the
individuals who belonged to the association was in 1972 which recorded 200,000 members.
According to the 1995 statistics, there were 10 congregations present in the country with 5,000
affiliates with this group. The growth rate was 3.28% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
Roman Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea (798,817): The Roman Catholic Church is the
only traditional church in Papua New Guinea that still relies to a large extent on foreign clergy.
The beginning of the Church’s activities in the country goes back to 1847 and it belongs to the
Roman Catholic Latin-rite Megabloc. The Church owns and administers many institutions in the
country which help with the overall development of the society. According to the 2005 statistics,
there are 1,815 congregations present in the country with 1,350.000 individuals affiliated with
this denomination.
http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Catholic_Doctrine/Fin_Dalla_Prima_Nostra.htm
http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dboug.html
Traditional Ethnic Religions (3%) - Although only about 3% of the population in Papua New
Guinea belongs to this category which rapidly decreases each year, nevertheless, the influence of
these religions continues to be felt even among professing Christians. The main focus of the
tribal religions in this group is primarily emphasized on ancestor veneration which is strongly
coupled with belief in good and evil spirits as well as the efficacy of magical charms.
http://www.pngbuai.com/200religion/traditional/default.htm
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protectreligions/
Christian or Evangelical
Anglican Church of Papua New Guinea (108,000)
The church started its function in Papua New Guinea in 1891 and is a part of the Anglican High
Church Megabloc. There are close to 200 priests engaged in active ministries. Most of them
serve in the parishes, but a few are in specialized areas such as theological education, army and
police chaplaincies. The denomination has 5 dioceses with 92% of the members being
indigenous. Just outside of Popondetta in Oro Province priests are trained at Newton
Theological College. Likewise, the training is done for the catechists in Tsendiap inWestern
Highlands Province at Kerina Evangelists’ College. The Anglican National Office for Papua
New Guinea is located at Lae in Morobe Province. According to the 2005 statistics, there were
900 congregations present in the country with 270,000 individuals affiliated with this
denomination.
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/tour/province.cfm?ID=P1
http://portmoresby.anglican.org/
Apostolic Christian Church (3,000)
The Apostolic Christian Church in Papua New Guinea started its activities in 1960 with the cooperating foreign missionary society under the same from the USA. The first members of the
church plant were from the Wala tribe. The Church belongs to the Protestant Holiness Christian
Megabloc. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 60 congregations in the country with
12,000 affiliated individuals in the denomination.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostolic_Christian_Church_(Nazarene)
Apostolic Church (27,000)
The Church started its functions in Papua New Guinea in 1954 around the Western Highlands
Province with the co-operating foreign missionary society under the name of Apostolic Church
of Australia & New Zealand. Today the denomination is a part of the Protestant Apostolic or
Pentecostal Apostolic Megabloc. The headquarters of the Church is in Kandep, Enga Province.
The important aspect in the Church is stressed on the complex hierarchy of living apostles,
prophets, and other charismatic officials. Most churches are white-originated or white-led
congregations. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 290 congregations in the country
with 38,000 individuals affiliated with this denomination.
Assemblies of God (7,000)
The Assemblies of God started its activities in Papua New Guinea in 1948 as the New Guinea
Mission of the Assemblies of God church from Australia and United Kingdom. The
denomination belongs to the Protestant Baptistic-Pentecostal or Keswick-Pentecostal Megabloc.
The members of the church are taught to understand a two-crisis experience in their spiritual
growth such as conversion and baptism of the Spirit. The congregations are mostly led by whiteclergy with the classical style of worship. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 137
congregations in the country with 26,000 affiliates in this denomination.
http://www.pngbd.com/directory/category/Churches_and_Missions
Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (860)
The association began its functions in Papua New Guinea in 1967. American Regular Baptists
started their mission activities with the USA Association of Baptists for World Evangelism.
More likely the Fundamental Baptists from the USA continued the functions of the association in
the country. The association is a part of the Independent Baptists Megabloc. According to the
1995 statistics, there were 15 congregations in the country with 1,720 individuals affiliated with
this denomination. The growth rate was 2.19% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.abwe.org/pray/country/papua-new-guinea
Bamu River Mission (1,300)
The Bamu River Mission started its functions in Papua New Guinea in 1936 with the cooperating foreign missionary society under the same name from Australia. The first indigenous
members of the church were from the Kuvai, Bamu, and Duvani tribes. The mission is a part of
the Protestant Christian non-denominational Megabloc. According to the 1995 statistics, there
were 20 congregations in the country with 2,200 affiliates with this organization. The growth
rate was 0.38% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/brma1953212/
http://www.wycliffe.org/FeatureStories/PeoplearePrayingforme.aspx
Baptist Bible Fellowship International (200)
The organization started its activities in Papua New Guinea with the co-operating foreign
missionary society in 1961 under the same name and administration of the Fundamental Baptists
from the USA. The organization belongs to the Independent Baptists Megabloc. According to
the 1995 statistics, there were 2 congregations with 300 affiliated with this denomination. The
growth rate was 2.81% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.viswiki.com/en/Baptist_Bible_Fellowship_International
Baptist International Missions (5,000)
The group began its work in Papua New Guinea in 1970 with the co-operating foreign
missionary society under the same name from the USA. The group belongs to the Independent
Baptists Megabloc. According to the 1995 statistics, there were 35 congregations with 12,500
affiliated with this group. The growth rate was 45.84% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
Baptist Union of PNG (35,270)
The Union started in Papua New Guinea in 1949 with the co-operating foreign missionary
organization called Australian Baptist Missionary Society. The Union first established itself in
Sepik and Enga provinces and belongs to the Protestant Baptists Christian Megabloc. According
to the 1995 statistics, there were 360 congregations with 11,400 affiliates with the Union. The
growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.answers.com/topic/baptist-union-of-papua-new-guinea
http://home.pacific.net.au/~dparker/higlett.htm
Bible Missionary Church (4,000)
The organization started as a mission plant in Southern Highlands Papua New Guinea with the
co-operating foreign missionary society from the USA. Originally, the headquarters of the
organization was in the Kagua area, but it later moved to the Mt. Hagen location. The group
belongs to the Independent Non-denominational Megabloc. According to the 1995 statistics,
there were 100 congregations with 78,400 affiliates with this organization. The growth rate was
6.31% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Missionary_Church
Bethel Pentecostal Tabernacle (41,000)
This group started its functions in Papua New Guinea in 1948 with the co-operating foreign
missionary society from the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Seattle, WA, USA. The group belongs
to the Protestant Baptistic-Pentecostal or Keswick-Pentecostal Megabloc. The church members
in this group are taught to understand a two-crisis experience in their spiritual growth such as
conversion and baptism of the Spirit. The congregations are mostly led by white-clergy who
held the classical and/or traditional style of worship. According to the 2005 statistics, there were
273 congregations with 82,000 affiliated individuals with this denomination.
Christian Brethren (22,000)
The denomination started as a mission plant in Southern Highlands Province by the group of
missionaries from New Zealand, Australia, and the USA in 1955 with the initial name Plymouth
(Open) Brethren. It belongs to the Protestant Christian Brethren Megabloc in Papua New
Guinea. Majority of the churches are independent fundamentalists with a strong view on
dispensationalism. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 360 congregations with 38,000
affiliated with this denomination.
http://www.theologicalstudies.org/dispen.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dispensationalism
Christian Revival Crusade (35,000)
This group started as a mission organization in 1963 which carries the same name as its founders
from neighboring Australia. The group belongs to the Independent White-led Pentecostal
Megabloc and closely collaborates with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel
denomination. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 269 congregations with 60,000
affiliates with this group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRC_Churches_International
Church of the Nazarene (10,000)
The beginning of the church has its roots with the co-operating foreign missionary society of the
same namesake from the USA who came to Papua New Guinea in 1955. Some of the Nazarene
churches are also known as Conservative Methodist, Wesleyan, Free Methodist, and nonPentecostal Perfectionist. The group belongs to the Protestant Holiness Megabloc. The
demarcation among various churches is mainly based on schisms out of the mainline Methodism
which are chiefly differing on sanctification. The church leaders strongly emphasize a double
experience in one’s spiritual pilgrimage such as (1) conversion from the past to the new way of
life with the (2) following entire sanctification. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 260
congregations with 14,000 affiliated individuals with the church.
http://www.geocities.com/theocacna/Schism_is.html
http://www.ncnnews.com/nphweb/media/umedia/HQ1/NCN/enews_archive/old/gnews0630.html
Churches of Christ in Christian Union (8,000)
Like many other churches in Papua New Guinea, this group started in the Southern Highlands
Province with the co-operating foreign missionary society and carries the same name as its
founders from the USA. The group belongs to the Protestant Holiness Megabloc. This
particular Union of the churches bases its belief on the Wesleyan doctrines of faith. The
distinction from one church to another is mainly based on schisms out of the mainline
Methodism which are primarily differing on the subject of sanctification. The church leaders
strongly emphasize a double experience in one’s spiritual pilgrimage such as (1) conversion from
the past to the new way of life with the (2) following entire sanctification. According to the
1995 statistics there were 70 congregations with 14,800 affiliated with this group. The growth
rate was 1.92% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Churches_of_Christ_in_Christian_Union
Churches of Christ (12,800)
The group of churches in this denomination started its functions in 1958 with the co-operating
foreign missionary society under the name Australian Churches of Christ Mission. The
denomination belongs to the Independent Disciple Megabloc, also known as Restorationist
Baptist or Restoration Movement Campbellites. Denominational headquarters resides in
Wewak, capital of the East Sepik Province. According to the 1995 statistics, there were 160
congregations with 32,000 affiliated with this denomination. The growth rate was 6.27% over a
25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wewak
Evangelical Bible Mission (6,600)
The organization places its beginnings in 1948 with the co-operating foreign missionary society
from the USA of the same namesake. The organization belongs to the Protestant Holiness
Megabloc. Two other groups were also heavily involved in developing the structure of the
organization in Papua New Guinea: East & West Indies Bible Mission and Gospel Tidings
Mission. The distinction from one church to another is mainly based on schisms from the
mainline Methodist; differing on the subject of sanctification. The church leaders strongly
emphasize a double experience in one’s spiritual pilgrimage such as (1) conversion from the past
to the new way of life, and (2) following entire sanctification. According to the 1995 statistics,
there were 165 congregations with 13,200 affiliated with this denomination. The growth rate
was 7.84% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.ebminternational.com/papua_new_guinea
http://www.wmausa.org/page.aspx?id=83853
http://www.eagleswings.net/papua_new_guinea.htm
Evangelical Church of Manus (2,200)
The churches in this denomination belong to the Protestant Christian Megabloc. According to
the 2005 statistics, there were 16 congregations in the denomination with 5,000 affiliates with
this group.
http://openlibrary.org/b/OL141106M/history-of-the-Evangelical-Church-of-Manus
Evangelical Church of Papua New Guinea (24,000)
The activities of the church in Papua New Guinea started with the co-operating foreign
missionary society in 1931 under the name of Asia Pacific Christian Mission. The group belongs
to the Protestant Evangelical Anglican Christian Megabloc. According to the 2005 statistics,
there were 210 congregations and 56,000 affiliated with this group.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea (532,468)
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Papua New Guinea came out of the two German mission
organizations which were Neuendettelsau Mission Society (1886) and the Rhenish Mission
Society (1887). They belong to the Protestant Christian Megabloc. The church is active in over
200 tribes in the country. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 3,000 congregations with
820,000 affiliated individuals with this denomination. For more information on the activities of
the church in the country, please go to the “Christian History” section in this document.
http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/pacific/papua-new-guinea/evangelical-lutheran-church-ofpapua-new-guinea.html
http://www.elcpng.org.pg/
Faith Mission (7,000)
The organization is a part of the interdenominational organization and belongs to the Protestant
Nondenominational Megabloc. No information is available on the date of group’s beginnings in
Papua New Guinea. According to the 1995 statistics, there were 60 congregations with 15,000
affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
Foursquare Gospel Church (65,000)
The Foursquare Gospel Church in Papua New Guinea was founded by Mason and Vergene
Hughes in 1956. The group belongs to the Protestant Christian Megabloc. According to the
2005 statistics, there were over 900 congregations with 100,000 individuals affiliated with this
group.
http://fmi.foursquare.org/countries/countries.sd?iid=118
Gutnius Lutheran Church (51,667)
The church started its functions in Papua New Guinea in 1948. The churches spread throughout
the Western Highlands, mainly in Enga Province. The group belongs to the Protestant Christian
Megabloc. According to the 2005 statistics, there were 560 congregations with 93,000 affiliated
with this group.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutnius_Lutheran_Church
Independent Christian Missionary Society (3,000)
The organization started its functions in Papua New Guinea in 1965, around the Port Moresby
area, the largest city of the country. The Society belongs to the Independent Pacific Pentecostal
Megabloc. According to 1995 statistics, there were 20 congregations with 8,000 affiliated with
this organization. The growth rate was 4.00% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
Indigenous Pentecostal Congregations (2,000)
The activity of this denomination in Papua New Guinea is the result of Christian Pentecostal
groups arising from cargo-cult manifestations. The group belongs to the Independent Pacific
Pentecostal Megabloc. According to 1995 statistics, there were 40 congregations with 4,000
affiliated with this group. The growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
Internaional Church of the Foursquare Gospel (20,004)
The group started its functions in Papua New Guinea with the co-operating foreign missionary
society of the same name from the USA in 1955. The group belongs to the Protestant BaptisticPentecostal or Keswick-Pentecostal Megabloc. The church members are taught to understand a
two-crisis experience in their spiritual journey such as conversion and baptism of the Spirit.
According to 1995 statistics, there were 328 congregations with 33,300 affiliated with this group.
The growth rate was 2.06% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://fmi.foursquare.org/countries/countries.sd?iid=118
http://www.foursquarechurch.org/articles/616,1.html
Indigenous (New Tribes Mission) Church (19,000)
The existence of the churches in relation to this organization is a result of the missionary work of
the co-operating foreign missionary society of the same name from the USA who came to Papua
New Guinea in 1949. The headquarters of the organization is located in Goroka, the capital of
the Eastern Highlands Province. The organization belongs to the Protestant Fundamentalist
Christian Megabloc. According to 2005 statistics, there were 250 congregations with 34,000
affiliates with this organization in Papua New Guinea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goroka
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Tribes_Mission
http://www.ntm.org/png/
Kein Independence Group (400)
The churches in this group are the result of a split from the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation
in Papua New Guinea which happened in 1969. The Group belongs to the Independent Lutheran
Megabloc. The headquarters are based in Kein City, Begesin District, Madang Province. One of
the main emphasis within the church body is the “7 Steps and 7 Keys” program. According to
1995 statistics, there were 6 congregations with 1,000 affiliates with this group. The growth rate
was 2.81% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
Kwato Church (3,000)
The churches in this denomination, for the most part, came into existence out of the London
Missionary Society which was actively involved in Papua New Guinea starting in the late 1800s
and on. The denomination belongs to the Independent Pacific Pentecostal Megabloc. One of the
first churches in this denomination was founded in 1917. The churches are mainly located
throughout the Milne Bay Province. According to 1995 statistics, there were 40 congregations
with 5,000 affiliated with this denomination. The growth rate was 0.90% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4817/is_n1_v84/ai_n31675370/
Manus Evangelical Church (1,840)
One of the first churches in this organization was founded on Manus Island in 1914 with the cooperating foreign missionary society under the name Liebenzell Mission of the USA. The
organization belongs to the Protestant Independent Evangelical Megabloc. On this island alone
are 31 different languages of communication. According to the 1995 statistics, there were 18
congregations with 4,600 individuals affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was
0.56% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.ministrywatch.com/profile/liebenzell-mission-of-usa.aspx
National Revival Church Mission (800)
These churches were started by the co-operating foreign missionary organization from Australia
under the name National Revival Crusade. The churches belong to the Independent Pacific
Pentecostal Megabloc. According to 1995 statistics, there were 25 congregations with 2,000
individuals affiliated with this group. The growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year period, 19701995.
http://www.cai.org/about-us/australian-pentecostal-history
http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/nrcma1956327/
New Apostolic Church (40,000)
The operation plant of this group of churches in Papua New Guinea started around 1970 with
missionaries from Australia. The original pioneers of this Christian group came from Europe
and settled in Queensland and South Australia in the 1880’s. The group belongs to the
Independent New Apostolic Megabloc. In 1978 the indigenous churches of Papua New Guinea
were hit by the huge take over of the Peli movement across different regions in the country. The
structure of the functions in the churches is based on sacraments and hierarchy. According to
1995 statistics, there were 200 congregations with 60,339 individuals affiliated with this group.
The growth rate was 55.32% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.newapostolic.org.au/index.aspx?mid=3
New Guinea Gospel Mission (1,000)
The mission plant of this particular organization in Papua New Guinea started in 1960 with the
co-operating foreign missionary society of the same namesake from Australia. The group
belongs to the Protestant Christian Non-denominational Megabloc. Headquarters of the group is
located in Wewak, capital of East Sepik Province. The organization’s emphasis in the country is
largely geared toward general education of the indigenous population and the improvement of
medical work in the remote places of the land. According to 1995 statistics, there were 15
congregations with 1,500 individuals affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was
1.64% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wewak
Open Bible Standard Church (1,156)
The activities of this denomination in Papua New Guinea started in 1980 with the co-operating
foreign missionary society of the same name from the USA. The denomination belongs to the
Independent White-led Pentecostal Megabloc. According to 1995 statistics, there were 24
congregations with 2,890 individuals affiliated with this denomination. The growth rate was
6.67% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
www.openbible.org/intl/documents/Perspectives_July_2008.doc
Pentecostal Church (1,000)
The Pentecostal movement started in Papua New Guinea in 1968 as a result of the effective
mission work with co-operating foreign missionary society of the New Apostolic Church from
Canada. The Pentecostal denomination belongs to the Protestant Baptistic-Pentecostal or
Keswick-Pentecostal Megabloc. The headquarters of the denomination is located in Yangoru
city, East Sepik Province. The church members are encouraged to have a two-crisis experience
in their spiritual journey such as conversion under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and baptism
of the Holy Spirit. In 1972 the denomination had its pick of membership which was up to
200,000 individuals. According to 1995 statistics, there were 20 congregations with 2,500
individuals affiliated with this denomination. The growth rate was 4.41% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
Pioneers (67)
This particular group of churches in Papua New Guinea started in 1985 with the co-operating
foreign missionary society of the same namesake from the USA. The group belongs to the
Protestant Non-denominational Megabloc. According to the 1995 statistics, there were 2
congregations with 150 individuals affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was
10.00% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.pioneers.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29:pioneersusa&catid=15:history&Itemid=100052
Salvation Army (2,000)
The Salvation Army started its activities in Papua New Guinea in 1956. The organization
belongs to the Protestant Salvation Army Megabloc and is also part of the South Pacific East
Asia Zone, as well as a member of the South Pacific Anglican Council. The organization is a
non-confessional international denominational body usually with the world missionary outreach.
Salvation Army is not a member of the World Council of Churches in its own right, but
participates in the life of the society through some larger confessional or ecclesiastical member
groupings in the country. According to 1995 statistics, there were 80 congregations with 5,000
individuals affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was 3.73% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
http://www.png.salvationarmy.org/
Seventh-day Adventist Church (184,428)
The start of the association as such in Papua New Guinea goes back to 1908. The association
belongs to the Protestant Christian Megabloc and is a non-confessional international
denominational body usually with the world missionary outreach. According to 2005 statistics,
there were 737 congregations with 290,000 affiliates in the association. For more information on
the activities of the church in the country, please go to the “Christian History” section in this
document.
http://adventist.org.au/about_adventists/history/adventism_in_the_south_pacific/papua_new_guinea
South Seas Evangelical Church (5,400)
The organization started in Papua New Guinea in 1948 with the co-operating foreign missionary
society under the same name from Australia and relates to the Australian Evangelical Alliance.
The organization belongs to the Protestant Evangelical Megabloc. Congregations in this
organization are of a non-confessional international denominational body usually with world
missionary outreach. According to 1995 statistics, there were 193 congregations with 9,000
individuals affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was 2.38% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/South_Seas_Evangelical_Church
Sovereign Grace Baptist Mission (1,600)
Most of the churches associated with the Sovereign Grace Baptist Mission are located
throughout the Southern Highlands Province. The organization belongs to the Protestant Baptist
Megabloc. Headquarters of the organization are in Tanggi, Koroba , in the Southern Highlands
Province, via Mt. Hagen, the Western Highlands Province, and Goroka in the Eastern Highlands
Province. According to 1995 statistics, there were 50 congregations with 3,100 individuals
affiliated with this organization. The growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.maplandia.com/papua-new-guinea/southern-highlands/koroba/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hagen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goroka
Swiss Evangelical Brotherhood Mission (4,000)
The Swiss Evangelical Brotherhood Mission society in Papua New Guinea belongs to the
Protestant Independent Evangelical Megabloc. The headquarters are based in Lae, Morobe
Province. Churches connected to this society are planted throughout Chimbu, Eastern, and
Western Highlands Provinces. According to 1995 statistics, there were 260 congregations with
8,000 individuals affiliated with this society. The growth rate was 0.05% over a 25-year period,
1970-1995.
http://www.siama.nl/index.php?p=members&art=2
http://www.paclii.org/pg/legis/consol_act/sebma1956393/
http://www.ebc.org.pg/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lae
United Church of Papua New Guinea (600,000)
Prior to 1968 when the denomination was given the current name, it was called Papua Ekalesia.
The churches started as mission stations throughout New Guinea dating back to 1871 with the
co-operating foreign organization under the name London Missionary Society. The
denomination belongs to the Protestant United Megabloc and is a member of the World
Methodist Council, the World Council of Churches, and the National Council of churches.
According to 2005 statistics, there were 3,500 congregations with 1,000,000 affiliates in this
denomination.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_in_Papua_New_Guinea_and_the_Solomon_Islands
United Pentecostal Church (68,571)
The organization belongs to the Protestant Christian Megabloc. According to 2005 statistics,
there were 317 congregations with 72,000 affiliated with the organization.
http://www.upcpng.org/
http://www.carversonline.com/png/2009/pai-tour.php
Wabag (Gudnius/Good News) Lutheran Church (33,081)
The churches in this group belong to the Protestant Lutheran Megabloc. The group is also a
member of the Lutheran World Federation and the National Council of Churches. The activities
of this group in Papua New Guinea started in 1948 with the co-operating foreign missionary
society of the name, New Global Life Ministries run by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
from the USA. Mostly, the churches of this group are located among the Enga tribe. The Wabag
Lutheran Church administers 23 schools throughout Papua New Guinea. According to 1995
statistics, there were 417 congregations with 63,000 individuals affiliated with this group. The
growth rate was 1.09% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.hristiyanforum.com/forum/printthread.php?t=318961
http://www.nglm.org/saved.html
Wesleyan Church (2,154)
The function of this denomination started in Papua New Guinea in 1961 with the co-operating
foreign missionary society from the USA which carries the same name. The group belongs to
the Protestant Holiness Megabloc. The headquarters of the denomination is located in Pangia, in
Southern Highlands Province. It administers two schools. This denomination bases its belief on
the Wesleyan doctrines of faith. The distinction from one church to another is mainly based on
schisms out of mainline Methodist which primarily differ on the subject of sanctification. The
church leaders strongly emphasize a double experience in one’s spiritual pilgrimage such as (1)
conversion from the past to the new way of life with the (2) following entire sanctification.
According to 1995 statistics, there were 53 congregations with 4,680 individuals affiliated with
this organization. The growth rate was -0.26% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
World-Wide Missions (4,000)
The activities of this organization started in Papua New Guinea in 1971 around Goroka territory
in the Eastern Highlands with the co-operating foreign missionary society which carries the same
name from the USA; who were Evangelical missionaries from Pasadena, California. The
organization belongs to the Independent Non-denominational Megabloc and is a nonconfessional international denominational body, usually with the world missionary outreach.
According to 1995 statistics, there were 40 congregations with 8,000 individuals affiliated with
this organization. The growth rate was 4.17% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://www.world-widemissions.org/indigenous.html
Other Protestant Denominations (186,000)
The list above of the mentioned denominations, organizations, churches, and/or missions is not
an exhaustive record of what is present in the Papua New Guinea, currently. Among the smaller
denominations there are over 20 of them such as Baptist Church (Boroko, National Capital),
Christadelphians (1 ecclesia), Church of Christ (planted by USA missionaries), Evangelical
Wesleyan Church, Highlands Christian Mission, Hohola Gospel Mission, Independent
Assemblies of God, Independent Baptist Mission, Independent Nazarene Church, New Guinea
Christian Mission, Sola Fide Mission, United Evangelical Churches, Village Church Mission,
Wewak Christian Fellowship, and others.
According to 2005 statistics, Papua New Guinea had around 120 Christian and/or evangelical
denominations/groups which consisted of 2,147 congregations with 374,000 affiliates in various
churches. The growth rate was 2.48%.
Other Independent Charismatic Churches (10,000)
According to 1995 statistics, there were 150 congregations with 30,000 individuals affiliated
with this group. The growth rate was 5.00% over a 25-year period, 1970-1995.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations
http://www.asao.org/pacific/othervols/pentacostal.htm
http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.anthro.32.061002.093421
http://www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/journal13/13i%20Waugh.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=T5pPpJl8E5wC&pg=PA197&lpg=PA197&dq=independent+charismatic+church
es+in+papua+new+guinea&source=bl&ots=CumEdqLQs0&sig=vGFoAt9qWHK6OGB9k5SNtCXyEh8&hl=ru&ei
=ha2WSvf4MoKwNuOUxIkD&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=independent%20chari
smatic%20churches%20in%20papua%20new%20guinea&f=false
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papua_New_Guinea#Religion
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90150.htm
http://www.adherents.com/adhloc/Wh_268.html
Barrett, David B., George T. Kurian, and Todd M. Johnson. World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey
if Churches and Religions in the Modern World, vol. 1: The World by Countries: Religionists, Churches, Ministries
(New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).
Barrett, David B., George T. Kurian, and Todd M. Johnson. World Christian Encyclopedia: A Comparative Survey
if Churches and Religions in the Modern World, vol. 2: The World by Segments: Religions, Peoples, Languages,
Cities, Topics (New York: Oxford University Press, 2001).
Johnstone, Patrick and Jason Mandryk. Operation World, 21st Century Edition. Updated and Revised
(Harrisonburgh: R. R. Donnelley & Sons, 2005), s.v. “Papua New Guinea.”
Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life, vol. 3 Asia and Oceania (Detroit: Gale Research, 1998), s.v.
“Papua New Guinea: Iatmul, Melanesians, Melpa, Motu.”
People Groups
All information, unless otherwise noted, is obtained from:
http://www.ethnologue.com
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp?name=PG
http://www.imb.org/globalresearch/downloads.asp
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
www.peoplegroups.org
9650
Abaga (261)
The majority of the people in this group are scattered around the Eastern Highlands Province and
Goroka District. The main language of communication, Abaga, is one of the Kalam-Kobon
languages, part of the Madang group of Trans-New Guinea languages. In addition to the most
acceptable language and official languages of the country, people of this group also use the
Kamano and/or Benabena languages whenever need arises.
The primary religion of this people group is Protestant Christianity. The available statistics show
that around 5% are evangelical Chrisitian among this people group. There are no indications of
the Bible and/or New Testament having been translated in this people group’s heart language.
Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, and/or Gospel recordings are
not available. However, the local community may have been exposed to various Christian
materials through the official languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9651
Abasakur (1,322)
Abasakur people are spread out along the southeast end of the Adelbert Mountain Range in the
Madang Province of Papua New Guinea. The people in this group are great experts in
subsistence farming and hunting wild boar. In order to survive, they are forced to adapt to
massive mudslides, earthquakes, and the flash floods that pervade their tropical environment.
Besides knowing that Abasakur, the tribal language, is spoken only by a small number of people
in Papua New Guinea, there is no informantion available to the linguists about this particular
language at this point. However, another key language of communication, Pal, has been a
survival tool for these particular inhabitants. Pal is one of the Croisilles languages and part of
the Madang group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of this people group is Protestant Christianity. Statistics indicate that
around 5% are evangelical Christians among this people group. There are no indications of the
Bible and/or New Testament having been translated in this people group’s heart language.
Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not
available. However, the people may have been exposed to various Christian materials in the
primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9652
Abau, Green River (7,894)
The Abau people group is spread throughout the Sandaun Province and Green River District.
The main language of communication, Abau, is part of the Abau group of Sepik languages.
Linguists’ researchers reported the presence of the whistle speech present in this particular
language.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Records show about 5% is
evangelical Christian among this people group. Christian resources are available for this people
group. Along with the complete Bible and variety of printed Christian materials, people can
view the Jesus film and other films based on the Christian belief system as well as listen to
Gospel recordings in their heart language. There is no indication of radio broadcasts for this
group of population. However, the people may be exposed to the above ministry in the primary
languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9653
Abie, Abia (924)
The inhabitants of this group have settled around the Oro Province, Afore District, along the both
sides of Owen Stanley Range. Also, some of them reside in the Central Province around the
north area from Lanu along Foasi and Domara Creeks. Aneme Wake, as Abie’s language of
communication, belongs to the Yareban languages which is part of the Southeast Papuan group
of Trans-New Guinea languages. The people are also fluent in Motu and/or Yareba languages.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of available
information indicates that the progress of the Gospel indicates that about 5% are Evangelicals
among this people group. One of the available Christian resources for this population is the New
Testament in their heart language. There are no indications of the Jesus film, radio broadcasts,
or Gospel recordings available in the main language of this particular group. However, the
inhabitants may have been exposed to the above resources in the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9654
Abulas (61,129)
The Abulas people are scattered throughout the East Sepik Province and around the Maprik
District. They are known for their skills as swidden agriculturalists. Alternate People Names:
Abelam, Ambulas, Maprik, Wosera
http://www.answers.com/topic/swidden
Ambulas, as the language of communication amoung this group of people, belongs to the Ndu
group of Sepik languages. The formation of the language follows the grammatical rule of the
word order such as object-subject-verb structure.
The primary religion of this people group is Protestant Christianity. Research attests that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to around 5% of the Abulas professing to be Evangelical
Christians. There are few Christian resources available for this people group. Along with the
New Testament as well as a selection of printed Christian materials, people can listen to Gospel
recordings in their heart language. There are no indications of existing radio broadcasts to listen
to and the Jesus film to view for this group. However, the people may have been exposed to the
above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9655
Adjora, Adjoria (3,667)
The populace of this group is scattered around the Madang and East Sepik provinces between the
Ramu, Sepik, and Angoram Rivers as well as the northwest of the Madang Province. They reside
in 22 vilages around the area. They are known for their skills as swidden agriculturalists.
Alternate names they may be known as are Abu, Adjoria, and Azao.
The language of communication among the Adjora people is Abu which belongs to one of the
Grass languages, part of the Ramu group of Ramu-Lower Sepik languages. A great number of
the Adjora use Tok Pisin, one of the official languages in Papua New Guinea, for their
communication. Also, educated young and middle-age adults speak some English.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. It is believed that there are
about 5% who are Evangelical Christian. There are few Christian resources available in Abu for
this people group. They have the New Testament as well as a selection of printed Christian
materials. People can listen to Gospel recordings in their heart language. There are no radio
broadcasts to listen to and the Jesus film to view for this group. However, the people may have
been exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
18255
Aeka (3,473)
Affiliates of the Aeka people group are scattered around the Oro Province, along Eia, Gira,
Mamba, and Kumusi rivers, and on the coast between Sowara and Iwaia villages. A few of them
can be found in the Morobe Province. The Aeka are known as accomplished fishermen, hunters,
wood carvers, and potters. They are also experts in swidden agriculturalism that produce taro,
sweet potato, banana, pumpkin, peanuts, and tobacco. Alternate people names they are known as
include Ioma and Binandere.
Binandere, as the people’s language of communication, belongs to the Binandere languages and
is part of the Binanderean group of Trans-New Guinea languages. People have positive attitude
toward the use of their language and teach it in community and primary schools which generally
correspond to stronger ethnolinguistic vitality. Another exciting factor is that all ages of this
group express strong interest in language preservation. There are a number of people who use
one or more of the official languages of Papua New Guinea, in this case English or Tok Pisin.
The primary religion of the Aeka people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics suggest that 5%
indicate they are Evangelical Christian. There are Christian resources available for this people
group in the Binandere language. They have the New Testament as well as a selection of printed
Christian materials. People can listen to Gospel recordings in their heart language. There are no
radio broadcasts to listen to or the Jesus film to view for this group. However, the people may
have been exposed to these through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri
Motu, and English.
18256
Agala, Sinale (521)
Residents of this group scattered through the Western Province and Upper Strikland River. The
Agala people use Fembe as their language of communication which is part of the East Strickland
group of Trans-New Guinea languages. They may also go by the names of Fembe or Sinale.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of this people group. Research
indicates that the progress of the Gospel has led to about 2% considered Evangelical Christians
among this people group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in this
people group’s heart language. Likewise other ministries tools such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the local community may have
been exposed to various Christian resources through the official languages of the country, such
as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9658
Agarabi, Agarabe (22,229)
Main populace of this group has been residing throughout the Eastern Highlands Province and
Kainantu District. People are known as experts in swidden agriculturalism. Agarabi, the
language of communication among the inhabitants, belongs to the Gadsup-Auyana-Awa
languages, part of the Kainatu/Kainatu-Goroka group of Trans-New Guinea languages. The
basic sentence structure is built on subject-object-verb word order.
The primary religion of the Agarabi people is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that in the progress of the Gospel there is about 5% Evangelical Christians
among this people group. There are few Christian resources available for this people group.
Along with the New Testament and portions of the Bible, there are selections of printed Christian
materials. People can listen to Gospel recordings in their heart language. There are no
indications of existing radio broadcasts to listen to or the Jesus film to view for this group of
population. However, the people may have been exposed to the above resources through the
primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9660
Agi, Metru (980)
Very little information is available about this people group except that they reside throughout the
Sandaun Province. As their main language of communication, the people use Agi which is one
of the Paleilanguages languages and part of the Wapei-Palei group of Torricelli languages.
The primary religion of the Agi people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics indicate that the
about 2% may be Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings
available in this people group’s heart language. There are no indications of the Bible having
been translated in this people group’s heart language. Neither are there suggestions of the Jesus
film or radio broadcasts available in the main language of this particular group. However, the
population may have been exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9661
Agob, Upiala-Bituri (5,246)
The Agob people group are scattered throughout the Western Province, Pahoturi River area, and
south coast of Papua New Guinea. This includes 13 villages that are mostly areas of savannah or
lowland forest with hot and humid climates. Known as swidden agriculturalists, the Agob
people mainly grow taro root and sago as well as variety of other vegetables and fruits. They are
also hunter-gatherers skilled in hunting for deer and wallaby as well as catching fish and
cassowary. The people have a rubber plantation and make various handcrafts, such as baskets,
fishnets, spears, and arrows.
The Agob languge of their communication belongs to the Pahoturi group of South-Central
Papuan languages with the grammatical structure subject-object-verb word order. The Agob
people have 3 schools established by the government. The older generation continues to speak
the Agob language with the younger generation. Being passionate with language preservation,
several times Agob individuals have requested assistance with their language development.
The primary religion of this people group is Protestant Christianity. Records show that the
roughly 2% are Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings
available in the Agob heart language. On the other hand, there are no indications of the Bible
having been translated in their heart language. Neither are the Jesus film nor radio broadcasts
available in the main language of this particular group. However, the population may have been
exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
101022
Aighon (2,000)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Aighon people live in the West New Britain Province on New Britain Island, throughout
Gasmata and Mosa Rural Local Level Government areas (LLGs) as well as in the vicinity of
Akolet and Avau inland, stretching all the way between Avio and Amgen rivers which are to the
north side of Whiteman Range. Their villages are widely scattered among tropical forests,
streams, and mountains. People in this group are known as experts in swidden agriculturalism.
Each village has several clans, with a chief for each clan. There is an overall chief for every
village, but none over the whole language group. They may also be known by the names Aignon,
Bao, Psohoh, Psokok, or Sokhok.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_and_LLGs_of_Papua_New_Guinea
http://www.answers.com/topic/swidden
Alternately known as the Bao and Apsokok, the Aighon language is part of the Pasismanua
languages and part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages. Bao language is
different from Bau being spoken in Madang Province. The Aighon people have a positive
attitude toward the use of their language and start teaching it in community and primary schools
which generally corresponds to stronger ethnolinguistic vitality. Another stimulating factor for
the language development is that all ages of this group express strong interest in language
preservation. There are number of Aighon people who also use one or more of the official
languages of Papua New Guinea.
The primary religion of the Aighon people is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of available
information indicates that 5% or more may be Evangelical Christian among this people group.
Gospel recordings are available in their heart language. On the other hand, there are no
indications of the Bible having been translated in their heart language. Neither are the Jesus film
nor radio broadcasts available in their main language. However, the population may have been
exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
200180
Aiklep, Loko (6,700)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Aiklep people are scattered throughout the West New Britain Province, along the southwest
coast and inland; in the surrounding area of Aviklo Island near Kandrian as well as all through
the neighborhood of Ais, Asailo, Yumielo, and Analo villages. Aiklep, the main language of
communication for this group, is one of the West Arawe languages which are part of the MalayoPolynesian group of Austronesian languages. This people group may also be known by the
names Agerlep, Eklep, Kaul, Loko, or Moewehafen.
The primary religion of the Aiklep people is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates that at
least 10% are Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are few Christian resources
available for the Aiklep. Along with the New Testament and portions of the Bible, Gospel
recordings are available in this group’s heart language. There are no indications of radio
broadcasts or the Jesus film in their language. The people may have been exposed to the above
resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9662
Aiku, Menandon (1,422)
The main location of the Aiku people is in the Sandaun Province around the Nuku District. They
may be known as the Malek, Minendon, or Wiaki. One of the languages that serve the people as
their means of communication is Yangum Mon. Yangum Mon is one of the Palei languages and
part of the Wapei-Palei group of Torricelli languages.
The primary religion of the Aiku people is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of available
information indicates about 5% of the people are Evangelical Christian. There are Gospel
recordings available in the Aiku heart language. On the other hand, there are no indications of
the Bible having been translated in their language. Neither there are suggestions of the Jesus
film nor radio broadcasts available in their language. However, the population may have been
exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
9663
Aimele (869)
The Aimele or Kware people are spread out from the Southwest corner of the Southern Higlands
Province around Mt. Bosavi area stretching to as far as the Western Province in the vicinity of
the Lake Campbell area. Their main language of communicataion, Aimele, belongs to the
Bosawi group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Aimele people. There are few
if any known Evangelicals among them. Although there are some Christian resources available,
no active church planting has been done within the past 2 years. There are no indications of the
Bible having been translated in their heart language. Resources such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the indigeneous population may
have been exposed to various Christian resources through the official languages of the country,
such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9664
Ainbai (186)
The cluster of the Ainbai people is located in the Sandaun Province and around the Vanimo
District in the vicinity south of Bewani station. They reside in 2 villages within this area. The
key language of communication, Ainbai, is part of the Bewani group of Border languages.
A large number of followers among the Ainbai people claim Roman Catholic beliefs to be their
primary religion. The review of available statistics shows 5% or more are Evangelical
Christians. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in their heart language.
Likewise other Christian resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings
are not available. However, the local community may have been exposed to various Christian
resources through the official languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
18257
Aiome (1,304)
Alternate People Names:
The population of the Aiome people is mainly located in Madang Province, scattered west of
Madang town. The people are known as agriculturalists mostly growing sweet potatoes,
sugarcane, and bananas. They specialize in animal husbandry, pigs in particular. Aiome, the
main language of communication, is one of the Middle Ramu languages, which is part of the
Ramu group of Ramu-Lower Sepik languages. The Aiome may also be known as the Aiome
Pygmy or Ayom people.
The primary religion of the Aiome people is Protestant Christianity. Research attests that the
progress of the Gospel is on going with over 5% Evangelical Christian. There are Gospel
recordings available in their heart language. There are no indications of the Bible having been
translated in their language. The Jesus film or radio broadcasts are not available in the main
language of Aiome. However, the population may have been exposed to the above resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9666
Aion (1,489)
The Aion people live along the tributaries of the Sepik, Porapora, and Keram Rivers, located at
the north end of the East Sepik Province. Being swidden agriculturists, alongside with
cultivating and processing their staple food, such as sago palm, they also harvest fruits and
vegetables which include bananas, coconuts, sugar cane, pumpkins, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and
cucumbers. The people are experts in raising domesticated animals as well as fishing. As part of
their culture, the Aion people are skilled weavers and wood-carvers utilizing materials from the
natural resources surrounding them. An alternate people name for them is Porapora.
A great number of the Aion speak both Tok Pisin and Ambakich; the latter one is their
vernacular language. Ambakich is one of the Grass languages and part of the Ramu group of
Ramu-Lower Sepik languages. The vernacular language is of very low vitality. Mostly it is used
in cultural and social settings only by adults. Even though many parents express interest in
language retention and say they want their children to know Ambakich, they often, speak Tok
Pisin with the young people as well as among themselves. According to the 2000 census, 41%
of the ethnic group10 years and older, are literate in at least 1 language.
The primary religion of the Aion is Protestant Christianity. It is believed that about 5% are
Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in Ambakich.
The Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, since the
Aion speak Tok Pisin all these Christian resources are available to them.
9667
Ak (145)
Mainly, the Ak people can be found in the Sandaun Province scattered throughout Kwieftim
village. Their key language of communication, Ak, is part of the Yellow River group of Sepik
languages.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Ak people. Statistics suggest
that there may be up to 2% who are Evangelical Christian among this group. There are Gospel
recordings available in this people group’s heart language. There are no indications of the Bible
having been translated in their heart language. The Jesus film or radio broadcasts are not
available in their main language. However, the population may have access to the above
resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9668
Akolet (1,613)
The Akolet people, for the most part, can be found in the West New Britain Province, alongside
south coast and on the islands around Awio Bay. Akolet, their vernacular language, is one of the
Arawe-Pasismanua languages, part of the Eastern Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian
languages. The Akolet people also use Tok Pisin and/or English. This particular people group
has 3 primary schools, a provincial secondary school, and a vocational school.
The primary religion of the Akolet people is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates that the
greater than or equal to 5% of the people are Evangelical Christian. There are Gospel recordings
available in their heart language. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in
their language. The Jesus film and radio broadcasts are not available in the main language of
this particular group. However, as most of the population also speak Tok Pisin and/or English,
all the above Christian resources are available to them.
9669
Akrukay (331)
Scattered around the Madang Province, the Akrukay people use the Akrukay language as their
communication tool; one of the Tamolan languages and part of the Ramu group of Ramu-Lower
Sepik languages. A large number of followers in this people group claim Roman Catholic
beliefs to be their primary religion. There are few if any known Evangelical Christians among
the Akrukay. Although there are some available Christian resources, no active church planting
has been done within the past 2 years.
There are Gospel recordings available in this people group’s heart language. On the other hand,
there are no indications of the Bible having been translated in their language. Neither has the
Jesus film nor radio broadcasts available in their language. However, the population may have
been exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9671
Alamblak, Alambuk (2,231)
The Alamblak people are spread throughout the East Sepik Province in the Angoram District.
Alamblak, as people’s key language of communication, is one of the Alamblak languages; part
of the Sepik Hill group of Sepik languages. There are 9 villages on Middle Karawari and
Wagupmeri rivers where the inhabitants of the group are located. Another group dialect of the
primary language has 4 villages near Kuvanmas Lake.
The primary religion of the Alamblak people is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that around 2% are Evangelical Christian. One of the available Christian
resources for this population is the New Testament in their heart language. There are no
indications of the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings available in the main
language of this people. However, the inhabitants may have been exposed to the above Christian
resources in the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9672
Alatil, Aruop (218)
The Alatil people are scattered throughout 6 villages around the Sandaun Province. Aruop, the
primary language used for communication, is one of the Palei languages and part of the WapeiPalei group of Torricelli languages. The Alatil people have 1 community school for the
improvement of the educational skills for those willing to learn. They may also be known by the
names of Aru or Eru.
The primary religion of the Alatil is Protestant Christianity. The Gospel is being shared and 5%
are thought to be Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings
available in their heart language. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in
their language. The Jesus film or radio broadcasts are not available in the main language of this
particular group. However, the population may have been exposed to the above resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9673
Alauagat (582)
The cluster of Alauagat people maybe found in 4 villages throughout the Sandaun Province. The
key language of of communication for this population, Bragat, is one of the Palei languages; part
of the Wapei-Palei group of Torricelli languages. There is 1 community school available for
students to attend. Alternate people group names are Bragat or Yauan.
The primary religion of the Alauagat people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics demonstrate
that due to the progress of the Gospel, more than 5% are Evangelical Christian. There are Gospel
recordings available in this people group’s heart language. On the other hand, there are no
indications of the Bible having been translated in their heart language. Neither are the Jesus film
or radio broadcasts available in the main language of this particular group. However, the
population may have been exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9675
Ama, Apaka (712)
The Ama people are scattered throughout the East Sepik Province and on hills rising from the
swamp in the vicinity of the Ambunti District, Waniap Creek, south of Sepik River, south of
Namia, Ama (Wopolu I), Wopolu II (Nokonufa), Kauvia (Kawiya), and Yonuwai villages. They
may be known by the alternate people names, Abi, Aboa, or Sawiyanu. Along with being
recognized as seminomadic people, they are also known to be skillful hunters as well as the sago
gatherers. The primary language which is being used among the Ama people is Ama, part of the
Arai (Left Way) group of Arai-Kwomtari languages. The grammatical structure of the sentence
is based on “subject-object-verb” word order.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of this people group. Analysis of
available information indicates that the progress of the Gospel is greater than or equal to 10% of
the Ama professing to be Evangelical Christian. There are a few Christian resources available
for this people group. Along with the New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in their
heart language. Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film
the Ama may have been exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9676
Amaimon (636)
The Amaimon people are scattered throughout the Madang Province. Their key language of
communication, Amaimon, is one of the Pihom languages, which is part of the Croisilles group
of Trans-New Guinea languages. Their primary religion is Protestant Christianity. Research
attests that the progress of the Gospel has resulted in 10% being Evangelical Christian among
this people group.
There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in this people group’s heart
language. Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, and/or Gospel
recordings are not available. However, the Amaimon community may have been exposed to
various Christian resources through the official trade languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
9678
Amal (674)
The Amal people, or Alai people, mainly reside near the confluence of Wanibe Creek in the
vicinity on the Wagana River located in the Sandaun Province. Amal, the primary language of
communication, is part of the Iwan group of Sepik languages.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of these people. It is believed that
with the progress of the Gospel, greater than 10% are Evangelical Christian. There are Gospel
recordings available in their heart language. On the other hand, there are no indications of the
Bible having been translated in this people group’s heart language. Neither there are suggestions
of the Jesus film nor radio broadcasting available in the main language of this particular group.
However, the Amal people may have access to the above resources through the primary
languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9679
Amanab (6,765)
The Amanab people are located throughout the Amanab District in the Sandaun Province. They
are known as swidden agriculturalists. Being taught in primary schools, the key language of
communication, Amanab, belongs to the Waris group of Boder languages. The grammatical
structure of the sentence is based on “subject-object-verb” word order.
The primary religion of the Amanab people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics suggest that the
progress of the Gospel as lead to 10% indicating to be Evangelical Christian. Christian resources
are available for this people group. Along with the complete Bible and variety of printed
Christian materials, people can view the Jesus film and other films based on the Christian belief
system as well as listen to the Gospel recordings in their heart language. There is no indication
of existing radio broadcasts for this group of population. However, the people may be exposed
to the broadcasts in the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9681
Ambasi, Tain-Daware (2,084)
The Ambasi people are mainly located in the Oro Province along Eia, Gira, Mamba, and Kumusi
rivers and on the coast between Sowara and Iwaia villages. A few of them also reside in the
Morobe Province.
Binandere, the language for this particular group, belongs to the Binandere languages, part of the
Binanderean group of Trans-New Guinea languages. People have positive attitude toward the
use of their language and start teaching it in community and primary schools which generally
corresponds to stronger ethnolinguistic vitality. Another exciting factor is that all ages of this
group express strong interest in language preservation. A number of the Ambasi people also use
one or more of the official languages of Papua New Guinea, in this case English or Tok Pisin.
Some Ambasi who live in the language border areas also speak Zia, Aeka, and/or Notu (Ewage)
languages.
The primary religion of the Ambasi people is Protestant Christianity. More than 10% are
thought to be Evangelical Christian. Christian resources available in Binandere include the New
Testament and Gospel recordings. Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts
or the Jesus film in their language, the Ambasi may have been exposed to the these resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
211113
Ambrak (400)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Ambrak people are located throughout the Nuku District in the Sandaun Province. Ambrak,
the language they use primarily, is one of the Palei languages and part of the Wapei-Palei group
of Torricelli languages.
There is no available status data in relation to the primary religion among this people group.
Also, there are no indications of the Bible having been translated in this people group’s heart
language. Likewise other ministries tools such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel
recordings are not available. However, the Ambrak may have access to various Christian
resources through the trade languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9682
Ambul, Palik (713)
The Ambul people inhabit the islands off the south coast between Andru and Johanna rivers in
the West New Britain Province. Apalik, their primary language of communication, is one of the
Western Oceanic languages which are part of the Eastern Malayo-Polynesian group of
Austronesian languages. Positive attitudes about their own language correspond to strong
ethnolinguistic vitality for those promoting literacy or other language development activities.
The primary religion of the Ambul people is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that 10% or more may be Evangelical Christian among this group. There are no
Christian resources in the Apalik language. However, the the Ambul people may have been
exposed to various Christian resources found in the official languages of the country, such as
Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
100278
Ambulas (43,000)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Ambulas people are known as swidden agriculturists among the local communities.
Alternate names they may be known by are Abelam, Abulas, Maprik, or Wosera. They are
throughout the East Sepik Province and around the Maprik District. Ambulas, part of the Ndu
group of Sepik languages, is unique in its structure by keeping “object-subject-verb” word order
of the sentence.
The primary religion of the Ambulas people is Protestant Christianity. Research attests that the
progress of the Gospel indicates that nearly 5% may be Evangelical Christian. There are
Christian resources available for this people group including the New Testament and Gospel
recordings in their heart language. Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts
or the Jesus film for this group of population, the people may have access to the above resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9684
Amele, Amere, Amale (7,883)
The Amele people have been mostly located in the Madang Province throughout the Madang
District, up the hills from the Astrolabe Bay as well as between the Gum and Gogol rivers. The
inhabitants of this group have placed their family roots around 40 hamlets in the area (the
description of “hamlet” has been defined as a “settlement smaller than a town.”).
http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=hamlet
The main language of communication, Amele, is one of the Croisilles languages, part of the
Madang group of Trans-New Guinea languages. The sentence structure of the language follows
the “subject-object-verb” word order.
The primary religion of the Amele people is Protestant Christianity. Records show that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to nearly 10% to be Evangelical Christian among this people
group. Christian resources available for the Amele include the New Testament and Gospel
recordings in this group’s heart language. There are no radio broadcasts or the Jesus film for this
group. The people may have access to the above resources through the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
110448
Americans, U.S. (6,500)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
This American people are located throughout Papua New Guinea. No definite community
pockets have been identified. One of the official languages taught in primary schools of Papua
New Guinea has been English, alongside the other two most used languages such as Hiri Motu
and Tok Pisin. English, defined as a nontonal language, is one of the West languages and part of
the Germanic group of Indo-European languages. The basic word order distinguishes “subjectverb-object,” given and new information, topic and comment given structure of the sentence.
English language is known for its peculiar clusters of consonants and vowels in various words.
A large number of Americans claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church to be their
primary religion. It is thought around 5% may be Evangelical Christian. Many Christian
resources are available in English. Along with the complete Bible and printed Christian
materials, people can view the Jesus film and other films based on the Christian belief system.
Radio broadcasts and Gospel recordings are also available.
9686
Ampale, Safeyoka (4,262)
Proudly calling themselves swidden agricultulalists, the Ampale people are established
throughout the Morobe Province, stretching throughout the Kaiapit, Lae-Wamba, and Menyamya
districts. Alternate names they may be known as include Ambari, Ampeeli-wojokeso, Ampele
and Safeyoka. Their primary language of communication is one of the Nuclea Angan languages,
part of the Angan group of Trans-New Guinea languages and follows the structure of the
“subject-object-verb” word order.
The primary religion of the Ampale people is Protestant Christianity. It is estimated that 10%
may be Evangelical Christian. Christian resources available for the Ampale include the New
Testament and Gospel recordings. Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts
or the Jesus film, the people may have access to these resources through the primary languages
of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9687
Amto (399)
In the Sandaun Province Amot people are well known and respected for their hunting skills.
Alternate people names include the Senou, Siawi, Sinou, or Sinow people. They are located
throughout the Amanab Rocky Peak district. Used by all ages, the Amto language is part of
Amto-Musan languages and has been one of the mostly widely spoken languages in the area.
The people also utilize the Siawi or Tok Pisin languages when needed.
The ancestor worship belief system is their primary religion. Analysis of available information
indicates that over 10% are Evangelical Christian. Christian resources available for the Amto
people group include the New Testament and Gospel recordings in their heart language. There
are no radio broadcasts or the Jesus film translated at this time, but the people may have access
to these resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu,
and English.
100449
Andai (1,400)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Andai people can be found throughout the East Sepik Province, in the Karawari Rural
District. They also may be known by the alternate names Meakambut Pundungum, or Wangkai.
The Andai language, part of Arafundi languages is used by all domains. However, some people
also use Tok Pisin as their language of communication.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Andai people. Research
indicates that the progress of the Gospel has led to over 10% indicating they are Evangelical
Christian. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in their heart language.
Resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available.
However, the Andai may have access to various Christian tools through the trade languages of
the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9689
Andarum (1,882)
Spread out through the Madang Province, the Andarum people use the Andarum language as
their primary tool of communication. Andarum is one of the Tanggu languages and part of the
Ramu group of Ramu-Lower Sepik languages.
A large number of the Andarum people claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic beliefs to be
their primary religion. About 5% are Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of the
Bible having been translated in their heart language. Likewise other resources such as the Jesus
film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the Andarum people
may have access to various Christian resources through the primary languages of the country,
such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9690
Andra-Hus, Ahus (1,564)
Mainly located in the Manus Province, throughout the Andra and Hus islands, the Ahus people
speak the Andra-Hus language which is in the category of one of the Oceanic languages, part of
the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages. A large number of Andra-Hus people
claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic beliefs to be their primary religion. It is believed that
nearly 10% are Evangelical Chrisitan among.
There are Gospel recordings available in the Andra-Hus language. On the other hand, there are
no indications of the Bible having been translated in their language. The Jesus film or radio
broadcasts are not available. However, the Andra-Hus may have access to the above resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9691
Anem, Karaiai (764)
The Anem people reside on the northwest coast and inland of the West New Britain Province.
Although the members of the group primarily communicate with one another by the means of the
Anem language, some people also speak Bariai. Anem is part of the West New Britain group of
Yele-West New Britain languages.
A large number of the Anem people claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic beliefs to be their
primary religion. About 5% are thought to be Evangelical Christan. There are no indications of
the Bible having been translated in this people group’s heart language. Likewise other resources
such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the
Anem may have access to various Christian resources through the trade languages of the country,
such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9692
Angaatiha, Angataha, Angaatiya, Langimar (1,691)
The Angaatiha people live throughout the Morobe Province in the vicinity of the Menyamya
District. They are known as swidden agriculturalists. Angaataha, the main language of
communication of this group, is one of the Angaatiha languages and part of the Angan group of
Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Angaatiha people is Protestant Christianity. About 10% are
Evangelical Christian. One of the available Christian resources for this population is the New
Testament in the Angaataha language. There are no indications of the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings available in the main language of this people. However, they
may have access to the above resources in the primary languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
110752
Angal Heneng, West (56,000)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Angal Heneng people reside in the Southern Highlands Province stretching from the south
of Margarima and Kandep all the way to the north of Lake Kutubu and to the west of Lai Valley.
The people have mastered the skill of swidden agricultural. Their main language of
communication, Angal Heneng, has a basic structure of the word order in the sentence as a
“subject-object-verb” form, although with the unique expansion, such as the “time-subjectobject-location-verb” sentence arrangement. Angal Heneng is one of the Angal-Kewa languages
and part of the Engan group of Trans-New Guinea languages. The Angal Heneng people are
sometimes known as the Agarar, Augu, Katunja, Wage, or West Mendi.
The primary religion of the Angal Heneng people is Protestant Christianity. Nearly 5% are
Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are few Christian resources available for
them. Along with the New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in this people’s heart
language. Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film for the
Angal Heneng the people may have access to the above resources through the primary languages
of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9693
Angaua, Nent (2,779)
Located in the Madang Province in the neighborhood of the Morehead District, the most of the
Angaua people live in Bimadeben village situated between Nambo amd Idi. They have mastered
swidden agriculturalism as their survival skill. They are also known as knowledgable sago
gatherers and experienced hunters. Nend, the primary language of communication of the
Angaua, is one of the Wanang languages which are part of the South Adelbert Range group of
Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Angaua people is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that 10% are Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of the Bible having
been translated in the Nend language. Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the local community may have
access to various Christian resources through the official languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9694
Angave, Buu, Wunavai (2,379)
Making the Gulf Province as their residence in the neighborgood of the Kerema District, the
Angave people occupy the area in the valleys of Mbwei and Swansin rivers. The key language
of communication, Ankave, is one of the Nuclean Angan languages and part of the Angan group
of Trans-New Guinea languages.
Ancestor worship is the primary religion of the Angave. There are few if any known
Evangelicals among this people group. Although there are some Christian resources available
for the Angave, no active church planting has been done within the past 2 years. The New
Testament is available in the Ankave language. There are no indications of the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings available in their main language. However, the inhabitants may
have access to these resources in the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri
Motu, and English.
9695
Anggor, Senagi, Watapor (1,898)
The Anggor people are spread out through 11 villages in the Amanab District in Sandaun
Province. They are expert in swidden agriculturalism which serves as their survival trade.
Angor, the group’s primary language of communication, is part of the Senagi language group
and has the “subject-object-verb” word order of the sentence.
The primary religion of the Anggor people is Protestant Christianity. Records indicate progress
of the Gospel has lead to 10% indicating they are Evangelical Christian among group. Along
with the New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in the Angor language. Although there
are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film, the Anggor people may have
access to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
19286
Anglo-Australian (71,593)
There is no definite location of this people of this group in Papua New Guinea. Due to their
professional occupation, carreer, and/or other activity, the populace is spread throughout the
country. The primary language of communication for this people group is English. Defined as a
nontonal language, English is one of the West languages, part of the Germanic group of IndoEuropean languages as well as one of the official languages in Papua New Guinea which is
taught in primary schools.
The primary religion of the Anglo-Australian people is Protestant Christianity. It is estimated
that about 10% are Evangelical Christian. Many Christian resources are available in English.
Along with the complete Bible and printed Christian materials, people can view the Jesus film
and other films based on the Christian belief system. Radio broadcasts and Gospel recordings
are also available.
9697
Angoram, Olem, Pondo, Tjimundo (10,768)
The Angoram people reside in the vicinity of the lower Sepik River area around the Angoram
District of the East Sepik Province. Angoram, the group’s key language of communication, is
one of the Angoram languages which are part of the Lower Sepik group of Ramu-Lower Sepik
languages. The locals also widely use the official language of the country, Tok Pisin.
A large number the Angoram people claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church to be
their primary religion. Analysis of available information indicates that the progress of the
Gospel has indicated 5% are Evangelical Christian. There are Gospel recordings available in the
Angoram language. On the other hand, there is no indication of the Bible having been translated.
Neither there are translations of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts available their language.
However, they have access to the above resources through the primary language Tok Pisin.
9698
Annaberg, Rao, Rao Breri (8,595)
Having called the Madang Province as their home, the Annaberg people are situated in the area
of the Keram River as well as in the lower vicinity of the Ramu Valley, west of Madang town.
Rao, the main language of communication for this particular group, is one of the Middle Ramu
languages and part of the Ramu group of Ramu-Lower Sepik languages.
The primary religion of the Annaberg people is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates that
up to 10% are Evangelical Christian. Christian resources are available for this people group.
There is the New Testament and Gospel recordings are available in the Rao language. Although
there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or translation of the Jesus film, the Annaberg
people may have access to these resources through the primary languages of the country, Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9699
Anor (1,172)
The Madang Province has been the residency place for the Anor people. The language of
communication of this group, Anor, is one of the Middle Ramu languages and part of the Ramu
group of Ramu-Lower Sepik languages.
A large number of the Anor people claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic Church to be their
primary religion. It is believed that nearly 5% are Evangelical Christian among the Anor. There
are Gospel recordings available in the Anor language. On the other hand, there are no Bible
tranlations in their heart language. Neither the Jesus film or radio broadcasts are available in
their main language. However, the people may have access to the above resources through the
primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
19290
Anuki, Gabobora (942)
The Anuki, also known as the Gabobora people live along the north coast of Cape Vogel in the
area of Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. Due to the geographical location and climate
there is an abundance of local fish, birds, and wildlife.
Anuki, the principal language of communication for Anuki people, is one of the North Papuan
Mainland-D’Entrecasteaux languages; part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian
languages. The Anuki community has produced 3 illustrated short-story booklets by Gabobora
authors and a small hymn book of Anuki choruses, all written in the Anuki language. Recently
the people group joined VITAL the project: VITAL stands for “Vernacular Initiative in
Translation and Literacy.” This is a multi-language translation project in Milne Bay Province.
Through VITAL project the Anuki translation team has started working on a language dictionary
and has completed chapters 4 through 6 of the Gospel of Mark which is part of the New
Testament, the second part of the Christian Bible. As a result, 20 trial copies have been
distributed for the general population.
The primary religion of the Anuki people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics suggest that the
progress of the Gospel has led to more than 10% acknowledging they are Evangelical Chrisitan.
There are Gospel recordings available in their heart language. There are beginnings of the Bible
being translated, as mentioned above with the Gospel of Mark. It is not clear if the Jesus film or
radio broadcasts are available in the Anuki language. However, it is possible they have been
exposed to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
19292
Aomie, Őmie, Upper Managalasi (1,636)
The Aomie people mainly reside northwest of Managalasi, Mamama River and Upper Kumusi
Valley which are located throughout the area of Kokoda, Upper Kumusi and Afore districts in
the Oro Province. The people are mostly known for being experts in swidden agriculturalism as
well as animal husbandry, primarily pig livestock. Őmie, the principal language of
communication, is one of the Koiarian languages and part of the Southeast Papuan group of
Trans-New Guinea languages. The language is based on the “subject-object-verb” word order of
the sentence.
The primary religion of the Aomie people group is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates
that the progress of the Gospel has led to 10% Evangelical Christian among this people group.
There are some Christian resources available for the Aomie. Along with the New Testament,
Gospel recordings are available in their heart language. Although there are no indications of
existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film, the people may have access to these resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
19293
Arafundi, Andai, Nanubae, Tapei (1,273)
The Arafundi people are spread through the East Sepik Province in the neighborhood of the
Karawari Rural District which includes Andambit, Awarem, Awim, Imanmeri, Imboin, Kaiyam,
Kupini, Namata Wambrumas and Yamandim villages. Arafundi, the primary language, is one of
the Tapei languages; part of the Nanubae group of Andai languages. The majority of the
population also uses Tok Pisin language for communication.
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=2288-16
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Arafundi people group. The
review of available statistics shows that the progress of the Gospel led to 5% indication they are
Evangelical Christian. There are no Christian resources such as the Bible having been translated
in this people group’s heart language. Likewise other tools such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the Arafundi may have been
exposed to these various Christian resources through the primary languages of the country, such
as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9705
Aramba, Arammab, Serki (1,018)
The Aramba people reside in the Western Province throughout the Morehead Subprovince
located southwest of Suki. The Aramba’s key language of communication, Arammba, is one of
the Tonda languages and part of the Morehead-Upper Maro group of South-Central Papuan
languages. Even though the literacy rate of this community is below 5%, there are 2 community
schools available for the Aramba people group.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Aramba people. Nevertheless,
the records show that the progress of the Gospel has lead to 10% claiming to be Evangelical
Christian among this group. Christian resources are available for this people group. Along with
the complete Bible and a variety of printed Christian materials, people can view the Jesus film
and other films based on the Christian belief system as well as listen to the Gospel recordings in
their heart language. There is no indication of existing radio broadcasts for the Aramba.
However, they may be listening to radio broadcasts in the primary languages of the country, such
as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
19294
Aramo (521)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Aramo people are spread out through the few East Sepik provinces as well as throughout the
Enga, Madang, and border area of the Western Highlands provinces. Alternate names they may
be know as include Aramaue, Hagahai, Haruai, Miamia, Pinai, Pinaye, or Wapi. The Aramo
people are known their expertise in swidden agriculturalism as well as being skilful as huntergatherers. Teams of medical workers in this area report widespread health problems among the
community.
The principal language of communication for the Aramo people is Pinai-Hagahai which belongs
to the group of Piawi languages. In Enga Province some people are bilingual using Tok Pisin or
Haruai languages. The Enga Province speakers use the alternate people name, “Pinai,” “Wapi,”
or “Miamia” to refer to the entire language group. Those who live in the Madang Province, use
“Hagahai” to refer to themselves whereas Haruai speakers prefer to be called “Aramo.”
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of this people group. Statistics
demonstrate that the progress of the Gospel has lead to around 10% Evangelical Christian among
this people group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in their heart
language. Other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not
available. However, the Aramo community may have been exposed to these various Christian
resources through the official languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
19295
Arawe, Arove, Pililo (3,821)
The Arawe people mainly live along the southwest coast of the West New Britain Province.
Their key language of communication, Solong, is one of the Western Oceanic languages and part
of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages. All along the coast in this area,
people understand and use the Arawe dialect, Tok Pisin, or English. There are 3 primary schools
which effectively function in this community.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of available
information indicates that the progress of the Gospel has lead to over 10% indicating they are
Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings available their
heart language. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in Solong, their
heart language. Neither are the Jesus film or radio broadcasts available in the main language of
the Arawe. However, the population may have been exposed to the above resources through the
primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9709
Arawum (130)
The small community of the Arawum people resides in the Madang Province. The main
language of communicatuion, Aravum, is one of the Rai Coast languages and part of the Madang
group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Arawum people is Protestant Christianity. Research attests that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to nearly 10% Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of
the Bible having been translated in this people group’s heart language. Likewise other resources
such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the
Arawum may have access to various Christian resources through the trade languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9710
Aregerek, Musar (1,188)
The Aregerek group of people resides inland and west of the Tokain district in the Madang
Province. Musar, the primary language of communicatuion of the community, is one of the
Croisilles languages and part of the Madang group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
A large number of followers in this people group claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic
beliefs as their their primary religion. It is believed around 5% are Evangelical Christian in this
people group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in Musar. Likewise
other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available.
However, the Aregerek people may have access to various Christian tools through the primary
languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9711
Ari, Waruna (1,967)
The majority of the Ari people inhabit Ari and Serea villages which are located along Aramia
River area in the Western Province. Ari, the main language of this group, is one of the Gogodala
languages, part of the Gogodala-Suki group of Trans-New Guinea languages. The people also
use the Gogodala language. The dictionary of the Ethnologue: Languages of the World
categorized the Ari language as “Nearly extinct” which means that revitalization efforts have not
yet demonstrated any inhibiting effect on the process of language loss and “only a few elderly
speakers are still living.”
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Ari. Statistics suggest that the
progress of the Gospel indicates around 10% are Evangelical Christian among this people group.
There are Gospel recordings available in their heart language. On the other hand, there are no
indications of the Bible having been translated in Ari. Neither are the Jesus film or radio
broadcasts available in their main language. However, the Ari may have been exposed to the
above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9713
Arifama-Miniafia (4,146)
The Arifama people inhabit coastal locations all through the Oro Province. The most populated
places are spread inTufi District around Cape Nelson and Collingwood Bay, as many as 25
villages. The people are competent in swidden agriculturalism. Most of the male population has
aquired the trade of fishing around the local waters. The Arifama’s main language of
communication, Arifama-Miniafia, is one of the Western Oceanic languages and part of the
Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages. The basic structure of the word order in
the sentence follows the format “subject-object-verb.” People also widely use English, Motu, or
neighboring languages when the need arises.
The primary religion of the Arifama people group is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates
that the progress of the Gospel has lead to 10% professing Evangelical Christians among this
people group. Christian resources are available for this people group. Along with the complete
Bible and a variety of printed Christian materials, people can view the Jesus film and other films
based on the Christian belief system as well as listen to the Gospel recordings in their heart
language. There is no indication of existing radio broadcasts for this group. However, the
people may be exposed to the broadcasts in the primary languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, or English.
19296
Arinua, Lolopani, Ruruhip, Uruhip (2,740)
The Arinua people live throughout the Nuku District (Sandaun Province) which is considered as
one of the lesser developed areas of Papua New Guinea. The people of the group are respected
for their skills as swidden agriculturalists. The primary language of communication, Heyo, is
one of Maimai Proper languages, part of the Maimai group of Torricelli languages. The basic
structure of the word order in the sentence follows the format “subject-verb-object.” Some
speakers also use Tok Pisin or English.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% Evangelical Christian
among this people group. There are Gospel recordings available in the Heyo language. On the
other hand, there are no indications of the Bible having been translated in their heart language.
There are no suggestions of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts available in the main language of
this particular group. However, the Arinua may have access to the above resources through the
primary language, Tok Pisin, or English.
19298
Arop, Lukep, Waropu (3,057)
The Arop people are scattered throughout the 4 islands of Vitiaz Strait in the Siassi chain of
Papua New Guinea. Geographical locations of the islands as follows: (1) Madang Province – in
the vicinity of the Saidor District where the Arop people are on Long Island and Crown Island;
(2) Morobe Province – in the region of the Siassi District where the Lokep are on Tolokiwa
Island and the norwestern tip of Umboi Island.
Arop-Lukep, the key language of communication, is one of the North New Guinea languages and
part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages. The Arop people have a
positive attitude toward the use of their language and start teaching it in community and primary
schools which generally corresponds to stronger Ethnolinguistic vitality. Another exciting factor
is that all ages of this group express strong interest in language preservation. There are number
of people who also use one or more of the official languages of Papua New Guinea, in this case
Tok Pisin which is part of the curriculum in primary schools. The grammatical structure of the
sentence based on “subject-verb-object” word order. Arop-Lukep language is different from
Arop-Sissano language in the Sandaun Province.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Records show that the
progress of the Gospel has been such that 10% or more are Evangelical Christian among this
people group. There are some Christian resources available for this people group. Along with
the New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in the Arop-Lukep language. Although
there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film available for the Arop
population, the people may have access to the above resources through the primary languages of
the country, Tok Pisin.
100522
Arop-Sissano (1,500)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
The Arop-Sissano people reside in Arop village which is inthe Aitape District in Sandaun
Province. 863 people from this group were killed due to the devasting tsunami disaster in July
1998. The primary language of communication for this group, Arop-Sissano, is one of the North
New Guinea languages, part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages.
A great majority of the Arop-Sissano people have built their faith on Christianity. Few, if any
are known Evangelicals among this people group. Although some portions of the Bible are
available for the people to use, there are no indications the complete Bible has been translated
into their heart language. Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or
Gospel recordings are not available. However, the Arop-Sissano population may have access to
these various Christian resources through the trade languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
9717
Aruek, Djang (1,066)
North of Kombio in the Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea, one will encounter the dwellings
of the Aruek people. The inhabitants’s principal language of communication, Aruek, is one of
the Kombio languages and part of the Kombio-Arapesh group of Torricelli languages.
The primary religion of the Aruek people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics demonstrate that
the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% Evangelical Christian among this people
group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in the Aruk language.
Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not
available. However, the local community may have access to various Christian resources
through the official languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9718
Arufe, Nambo (2,975)
Throughout the Morehead District in the Western Province the Arufe people have made their
residence in 3 villages – Arufe, Gubam, and Bebdeben. The Nambo people cultivate gardens on
the plains near the Wassi Kussa River where they grow yam, taro, sweet potato, sago, greens,
and fruits such as coconuts, bananas, pineapples, and papayas. They raise chickens, fish, hunt
deer and wallaby. The Arufe people’s primary language of communication, Nambo, is one of
the Nambu languages, part of the Morehead-Upper Maro group of South-Central Papuan
languages.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of available
information indicates that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being
Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings available in the
Nambo language. On the other hand, there are no indications of the Bible having been translated
in this language. Neither there are suggestions of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts being
available in this language. However, the Arufe population may have access to the above
resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9719
Aruop, Lauisaranga (1,025)
Aruop people reside in 6 villages of the Sandaun Province who speak Aruop which is one of the
Palei languages and part of the Wapei-Palei group of Torricelli languages. The society has 1
community school for those willing and able to study.
The primary religion of the Aruop people is Protestant Christianity. Research attests that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Christian among this people
group. There are Gospel recordings available in the Aruop language. On the other hand, there
are no indications of the Bible having been translated in this language. Neither there are
suggestions of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts being available in the language. However, the
Aruop population may have access to the above resources through the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9720
Asaro, Upper Asaro, Kongi (4,616)
The Asaro people are scattered through the Goroka District in the Eastern Highlands Province,
Papua New Guinea. Due to the Western influence in this area, they became known as peasant
agriculturalists.
http://books.google.com/books?id=qEfFafw7YDEC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=Peasant+agriculturalists&source=b
l&ots=qzpBeswYpl&sig=2iBEatdHRd6dL6UtQtFmfeKcJao&hl=ru&ei=Ka4eS7fYNM2CnQf7y53WDQ&sa=X&oi
=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Peasant%20agriculturalists&f=false
Dano, the core language of communication, is one of the Gorokan languages, part of the
Kainantu-Goroka group of Trans-New Guinea languages. The basic structure of the sentence
follows the format “subject-object-verb” word order.
The primary religion of the Asaro people is Protestant Christianity. It is believed that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Chrisitan. Along with the
New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in the Dano language. Although there are no
indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film in their language, the people may have
access to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
9721
Asas, Kow (578)
The Asas people are mainly located in the Madang Province. Their key language of
communication, Asas, is one of the Rai Coast languages and part of the Madang group of TransNew Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Asas people is Protestant Christianity. Statistics suggest that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Chrisitan among this people
group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in the Asas language.
Likewise other ministries tools such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are
not available. However, the Asas people may have access to these various Christian resources
through the official languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9722
Asat (1,953)
The Asat people establish themselves in the surrounding area of the Rai Coast District in the
Madang Province. Their main language of communication, Muratayak, is one of the Warup
languages, part of the Finisterre-Huon group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Asat people is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% as Evangelical Christian among this people
group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in the Muratayak language.
Likewise other ministries tools such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are
not available. However, the Asat may have access to various Christian resources through the
primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9725
Atemble, Atemple (112)
Settling in the Madang Province, the Atemble people mainly converse in Atemble which is one
of the South Adelbert languages and part of the Madang group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Atemble people is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% as Evangelical
Christian among this people group. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated
in the Atemble language. Likewise other ministries tools such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the Atemble population may have
access to various Christian resources through the trade languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9726
Aturu, Atura (384)
The Aturu people are spread throughout different locations in the Western Province. Those are.
Their common language, Makayam, is part of the Tirio group of Trans-New Guinea languages.
Linguists report that children consistently use the vernacular language especially in Lewada and
Suame. Some people also use the Bitur or English languages.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Records show that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Christian among this people
group. There are Gospel recordings available in The Makayam language. On the other hand,
there are no indications of the Bible having been translated in this language. Neither there are
suggestions of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts being available in language. However, the
population may have access to the above resources through the primary languages of the country,
such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9727
Au (6,947)
The Au people occupy about 19 villages at the foothills of the Torricelli Mountain in the area of
the Lumi District, Sandaun Province, and are known as skillful hunter-gatherers. The key
language of communication, Au, is one of the Wapei languages, part of the Wapei-Palei group of
Torricelli languages. The basic component of the sentence structure consists of “subject-objectverb” word order. Some people also use Tok Pisin language as another tool of communication.
The primary religion of the Au people group is Protestant Christianity. Statistics demonstrate
that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Christian among
this people group. Some Christian resources are available. Along with the New Testament,
Gospel recordings are available in The Au language. Although there are no indications of
existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film available in Au, the people may have access to the
above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9729
Aunalei, Onele (3,831)
The Aunalei people live between the East Bewani and West Torricelli ranges in the vicinity of
the West Waipei Division in the Sandaun Province of Papua New Guinea. The group’s main
language of communication, One-Molmo, is one of the One languages and part of the West
Wapei group of Torricelli languages. The language is used by all ages in all domains of the
society except church. Some people use Tok Pisin language as their tool of communication.
The primary religion of the Aunalei people group is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of
available information indicates that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being
Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings available in the
Molmo language. On the other hand, there are no indications of the Bible having been translated
in this language. Neither there are suggestions of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts being
available in the main language of this particular group. However, the Aunalei people may have
access to the above resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin,
Hiri Motu, and English.
18287
Avau, Awau (9,913)
The Avau people established themselves in the south coast and islands around Gasmata of the
West New Britain Province. Avau, the key language of communication of this group, is one of
the Central-Eastern languages, part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages.
Some people also use Tok Pisin or English languages when it is needed.
A large number of followers in the Avau people group claim the traditions of the Roman
Catholic Church to be their primary religion. Research attests that the progress of the Gospel has
lead to about 5% being Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of the Bible having been
translated in the Avau language. Likewise other ministries tools such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the local community may have
access to various Christian resources through the official languages of the country, such as Tok
Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9731
Awa, Mobuta (3,107)
The Awa people settled throughout the Okapa and Kainatu districts in the Eastern Highlands
Province. Their main language of communication, Awa, is one of the Gadsup-Auyana-Awa
languages and part of the Kainantu-Goroka group of Trans-New Guinea languages. The basic
component of the sentence structure consists of “subject-object-verb” word order. Due to the
Western influence in this area, they became known as peasant agriculturalists.
http://books.google.com/books?id=qEfFafw7YDEC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=Peasant+agriculturalists&source=b
l&ots=qzpBeswYpl&sig=2iBEatdHRd6dL6UtQtFmfeKcJao&hl=ru&ei=Ka4eS7fYNM2CnQf7y53WDQ&sa=X&oi
=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Peasant%20agriculturalists&f=false
The primary religion of the Awa people group is Protestant Christianity. It is believed that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Christian. There are some
Christian resources available for this people group. Along with the New Testament, Gospel
recordings are available in the Awa language. Although there are no indications of existing radio
broadcasts or the Jesus film being available, the people may have access to the above resouces
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
19301
Awar (1,169)
The Awar people live in 3 villages along the Hansa Bay coast locate in the Bogia District area in
the Madang Province. Being swidden agriculturalists, they grow copra, vanilla, cocoa cash
crops. They are also known as skillful fishermen. Awar, their key language of communication,
is one of the Ottilien languages, part of the Ramu group of Ramu-Lower Sepik languages.
A large number of followers in this people group claim the traditions of the Roman Catholic
Church to be their primary religion. Statistics suggest that the progress of the Gospel has lead to
around 5% being Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of the Bible Testament having
been translated in the Awar language. Likewise other tools such as the Jesus film, radio
broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available. However, the Awar people may access to
various Christian resources through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri
Motu, and English.
9733
Awara (2,203)
The Awara peoples are located near the Wantoat vicinity of the Lae Disrict in the Morobe
Province. Establishing themselves as swidden agriculturalists, they mainly specialize in coffee
harvesting. Their main language of communication, Awara, is one of the Wantoat languages
which are also part of the Finisterre-Huon group of Trans-New Guinea languages. People have a
positive attitude toward the use of their language and teach it in all educational venues, except
community schools. Such approach to the language generally corresponds to stronger
Ethnolinguistic vitality. Another exciting factor is that all ages of this group express strong
interest in language preservation. There are number of people who also use one or more of the
official languages of Papua New Guinea, in this case Tok Pisin and Wantoat.
The primary religion of the Awara people is Protestant Christianity. Research indicates that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Christian. There are no
indications of the Bible having been translated in in the Awara language. Likewise other
resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel recordings are not available.
However, the Awara people may have access to various Christian resources through the official
languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
19302
Awin, West Awin, Aekyom (11,897)
The Awin people are spread throughout the Kiunga area in the Western Province of Papua New
Guinea. Aekyom, the group’s key language of communication, is part of the Awin-Pare group of
Trans-New Guinea languages.
The primary religion of the Awin people is Protestant Christianity. The review of available
statistics shows that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical
Christian among this people group. There are a few Christian resources available for the Awin
people. Along with the New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in their language.
Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film being available,
the people may have access to the above resources through the primary languages of the country,
such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9735
Awiyaana, Auyana (13,277)
The large group of the Awiyaana people spreads out through 15 villages of the Okapa districts,
Kainantu area in the Eastern Highlands Province. Their main language of communication,
Awiyaana, is one of the Gadsup-Auyana-Awa languages, part of the Kainantu-Goroka group of
Trans-New Guinea languages. The grammatical structure of the sentence based on “subjectobject-verb” word order.
The primary religion of the Awiyaana people is Protestant Christianity. Records show that the
progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being Evangelical Christian among this people
group. Some Christian resources are available for this people group. Along with the New
Testament, Gospel recordings are available in the Awiyaana language. Although there are no
indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film being available for this group, the
Awiyaana people may have access to the above resources through the primary languages of the
country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
9736
Awun (667)
The community of the Awun people inhabits Yakeltim village, east of Namia in the Sandaun
Province. Awun, the key language of the people, is part of the Yellow River group of Sepik
languages.
The ancestor worship belief system is the primary religion of the Awun people. Statistics
demonstrate that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% declaring to be
Evangelical Christian among this people group. There are Gospel recordings available in the
Awun language. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in the language.
There are no suggestions of the Jesus film or radio broadcasts available in the language of this
particular group. However, the Awun population may have access to the above resources
through the primary languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and English.
107911
Ayi, Besi, Warasai (600)
http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
About half way between the Sepik River and the government post of Nuku, Wan Wan Division,
in the Sandaun Province one will come across the Ayi people who reside in 3 villages deep in the
rain forest of Papua New Guinea, about 4 degrees south of the Equator. Without good roads in
the close proximity, in some areas no roads at all, they are isolated by the12-hour walk to Nuku
and a 2-hour walk to an airstrip in a neighboring language group. The people mostly specialize
in survival with gardening, hunting, and fishing. The lack of medical help and educational
venues has kept the community’s population on the lower scale of birth rate until recent years.
The main language of communication, Ayi, is part of the Tama group of Sepik languages.
A great majority of the people group seem to be Christian. About 10% are thought to be
Evangelical Christian. There are no indications of the Bible having been translated in the Ayi
language. Likewise other resources such as the Jesus film, radio broadcasts, or Gospel
recordings are not available. However, the Ayi population may have been exposed to various
Christian resources through the trade languages of the country, such as Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, and
English.
9737
Azera, Adzera, Acira (30,749)
The Azera people inhabit the upper Markham Valley, the area of the Markham District in the
Morobe Province. Adzera, the key language of communication, is one of the Central-Eastern
languages, part of the Malayo-Polynesian group of Austronesian languages. People have a
positive attitude toward the use of their language and start teaching it primary schools which
generally corresponds to stronger Ethnolinguistic vitality. Another exciting factor is that all ages
of this group express strong interest in language preservation and actively exercise it their
homes, during their social events, and in the churches. There are number of people who also use
one or more of the official languages of Papua New Guinea, in this case the language being used
is Tok Pisin.
The primary religion of the people group is Protestant Christianity. Analysis of available
information indicates that the progress of the Gospel has lead to more than 10% being
Evangelical Christian among. There are some Christian resources available for the Azera
people. Along with the New Testament, Gospel recordings are available in their language.
Although there are no indications of existing radio broadcasts or the Jesus film in the Adzera
language, the people may have access to the above resources through the primary language of the
country, such as Tok Pisin.
Missiological Implications
1. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek ways to cooperate with local believers to
pattern approaches to biblical Christianity into each of the cultural groupings in the country.
With such great variety of peoples, the task to unity within the country into a single nation is
a great challenge both for the government and for Christian groups.
2. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek ways and pray for the development of
spiritual life and Christian maturity among the believers in PNG. Local church leaders are
alarmed by the superficial Christianity of the majority without a radical transformation of
basic values and beliefs. Pray for a widespread revival and deep repentance which will result
in true disciples and transformed cultures.
3. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek ways to aid local Christians in Papua New
Guinea to have a burning desire in making effective disciples among superficially
evangelized churches.
4. Evangelical Christians and churches should work toward and pray for reconciliation between
the many groups of people in PNG. Pray for the barriers of strong tribal ties, ancient
animosities, and diversity of languages to be broken down through God’s power so that
indigenous Christians will experience the importance of Christian fellowship and flow of
spiritual blessings.
5. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek to aid those attempting to provide Scriptures
and other materials in languages that can be widely used. The overwhelming need of
Scriptures and literacy in many languages in Papua New Guinea indicates the great need for
translation and literary work. The indigenous population as well as Christians around the
world should become passionate and active in the project of translating Scriptures for every
people group with the Summer Institute of Linguistics. Pray also for the necessary finances
for this project, fast growth, and accuracy in translating the Scriptures.
6. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek ways to build up leadership training in the
areas of PNG. The needed leadership training has been partially met by the use of Extension
methods. Such methods should continue along with schools with dedicated teachers who
would help develop strong local leadership for the churches. This training should not be
restricted to career training, but training of local church leaders as well.
7. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek ways to help provide the materials for
Christian media in PNG. Pray for the media services in the country which effectively
proclaim the Gospel, enrich followers of the Christian faith in their spiritual growth in God,
and exchange the news among missions, churches, and/or denominations. Those ministries
are: (1) local radio, Kristen Radio, and Trans World Radio, (2) Christian Radio Missionary
Fellowship, (3) Christian cassettes, (4) Christian literature supported by local and
international publications, (5) Films and videos supported by Kristen Komunikaisen and
JESUS film production.
8. Evangelical Christians and churches should aid and participate in the missionary efforts that
have been long effective in PNG. The land and the people of Papua New Guinea have been
significantly changed by the large investment of missionary personal in evangelism, churchplanting, health, education, and overall development. Pray for larger mission agencies: (1) to
have good relationships between expatriate and national workers, (2) to build a greater
emphasis on relating the gospel to local cultures in order to see a more indigenous expression
of Christianity, (3) to stay committed to strengthening the local church through various
ministries, (4) to have perseverance in an on-going translation and literacy programs, (5) to
follow God’s leadership as they are involved in health, education, and community
development programs.
9. Evangelical Christians and churches should be active in continuing the provision of effective
air travel to many of the interior areas accessible only through air travel. Due to the density
of the clouds, treacherous weather conditions, thick forests, and high mountains, the flying
conditions are some of the worst in the world. Aircraft of missionary organizations are an
essential lifeline for the work of the churches and missions. Pray for the safety of the Papua
New Guinean mission organizations aircraft staff, all who serve the planes, and those who
travel in them.
10. Evangelical Christians and churches should be active in aiding local Christians and churches
in reaching special groups who have unique needs in PNG. Some of these people and areas
of special spiritual needs in Papua New Guinea (PNG) are: (1) unreached people groups
including many who remain in traditional religions, (2) cargo cult followers who need to turn
to biblical Christianity, (3) squatter settlements that reveal much poverty and social unrest,
(4) prisoners who might be open to Christian witness, (5) third- and/or fourth-generation
Chinese in PNG who should become open to the Gospel (5) Those who claim to be nonreligious.
11. Evangelical Christians and churches should make American churches and people aware of
the spiritual needs and opportunities that exist in PNG. God is using the indigenous Papua
New Guinea (PNG) Missionary Association to stimulate mission awareness, prepare, and
send missionaries to different parts of the world. New Tribes Missions Missionary Training
Centre provides a two-year work for prospective PNG missionaries. Ask for the Lord to
continue the increase of the missionary vision in the country.
12. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek ways to contribute to the economic and
health needs of PNG. The harsh geographical conditions of the country, serious ecological
damage, and issues of social instability and economic development in Papua New Guinea
make economic and health aid a major opportunity. Evangelicals should seek a part in
balancing development with long-term environmental and social stability.
13. Evangelical Christians and churches should seek to aid local believers in reaching young
people in the country. Evangelicals could have a part in this ministry through organizations
such as Scripture Union, Youth With A Mission, and International Fellowship of Evangelical
Students.
Johnstone, Patrick and Jason Mandryk. Operation World, 21st Century Edition. Updated and Revised
(Harrisonburgh: R. R. Donnelley & Sons, 2005), s.v. “Papua New Guinea.”