Kota Bangun Kutai in Indonesia

The Kota Bangun Kutai have only been reported in Indonesia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

In the beginning of the 20th century the economy of Kutai flourished as a result of the establishment of the Borneo-Sumatra Trade Co. This community lives in a remote region of Borneo.

Only portions of the Bible are available in the Kota Bangun language. A tiny fraction of the Kota claims to be followers of Christ.

Indonesia gained its freedom from the Netherlands in 1949. It is the largest Muslim majority country in the world as well as the fourth largest nation by population. Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands of which 10,000 are inhabited. Indonesia has oil, natural gas and mineral assets but the average Indonesian does not benefit from the nation's wealth.

Speakers of the Kota Bangun dialect of the Malay language reside in the central Mahakam River basin of East Kalimantan on the island of Borneo in Indonesia. The Kota Bangun live in the tropical rain forest. The first Roman Catholic mission was established in this locality in 1907.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kota Bangun make their living by farming, fishing and hunting. Water is abundant in the rain forest, but the soil often lacks nutrients. They cultivate rice, peanuts, vegetables, coconuts, and fruits. They trade their surplus of rice, peanuts, coconuts, and fish for things that they cannot make for themselves such as cell phones and appliances.

The Kota live in villages near rivers or streams. The best form of travel in the forest is usually by canoe. Village elders make the important decisions.

The Kota tend to marry within their group. Families and young couples arrange marriages. Some young people move away from their homeland and choose to live in cities in Indonesia or Malaysia. They are looking for a better life for themselves and their children. The Kota often have large families. Children, especially boys, are seen as blessings from Allah. It is the responsibility of the adult sons to provide for their parents in old age.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Kota claim to be Sunnis Muslims. Their brand of Islam is heavily influenced by folk religion and animism. Allah is frequently viewed as a remote Creator God. The Kota must deal with the evil spirits who inhabit the objects of nature. The perform prayers and rituals to get on the good side of these spirits. Each village has a shaman who serves as a healer and as someone who connects the Kota to the spirit world.

The Kota try to obey the teachings of the Koran and the prophet Mohammad. Sunnis believe that by following the Five Pillars of Islam that they will attain heaven when they die. However, Allah, the supreme God of the universe, determines who enters paradise. Sunnis pray five times a day facing Mecca. They fast the month of Ramadan. They attend mosque services on Friday. If a Muslim has the means, he or she will make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his or her lifetime. Muslims are also prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, using deceit, slandering, and making idols.

The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah


What Are Their Needs?

The Kota Bangun must understand that Isa or Jesus is much more than a human prophet. He alone can forgive their sins and grant them eternal life. Teams of believers can come and bring the benefits of modern medicine to the Kota.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Lord will provide pastors and teachers for the small number of Kota believers.

Pray the Kota believers would tell their families and friend about the Savior.

Ask the Lord to send loving workers to the Kota Bangun.

Pray that the Lord raises up a growing church among the Kota Bangun in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Kota Bangun Kutai in Indonesia.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kota Bangun Kutai
People Name in Country Kota Bangun Kutai
Alternate Names Kota Bangun Malay
Population this Country 149,000
Population all Countries 149,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 3
PeopleID3 13441
ROP3 Code 106153
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kalimantan Timur Province; Lakes Semajang and Melintang areas, north along Belayen river; westward then south, central Mahakam river basin.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Indonesia
Region Asia, Southeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 42  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Kalimantan Timur Province; Lakes Semajang and Melintang areas, north along Belayen river; westward then south, central Mahakam river basin..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
1.50 %
Ethnic Religions
4.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.50 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Malay, Kota Bangun Kutai (149,000 speakers)
Language Code mqg   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Malay, Kota Bangun Kutai (149,000 speakers)
Language Code mqg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Malay, Kota Bangun Kutai

Primary Language:  Malay, Kota Bangun Kutai

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2020)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Malay, Kota Bangun Kutai Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Anonymous  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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