Ponapean in United States


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

Oral traditions and scientific evidence indicate Pohnpei to have been settled from areas to the east, south, and west. Archaeological evidence dates the earliest human activity at roughly the beginning of the Christian era. Of particular note is the megalithic site of Nan Madol, located just off the southeastern shore of Pohnpei. Archaeologists estimate that construction began sometime during the thirteenth century A.D. and continued for a period of approximately five centuries. Local histories speak of a line of rulers, the Saudeleurs, who attempted to dominate the island from Nan Madol. Following the fall of the Saudeleurs, there developed a more decentralized system of chieftainship. By the end of the nineteenth century, there were five chiefdoms coexisting with several smaller, autonomous regions that possessed a less stratified system of political organization. Intensified contact with the European-American world in the nineteenth century brought trade, Christianity and new diseases.


Where Are they Located?

Most Pohnpeians (or Ponapeans) live on the island of Pohnpei which is part of the Federated States of Micronesia, though quite a few live on other Pacific Islands as well as in the United States and other countries. Pohnpei consists of one main island as well as five other inhabited coral atolls with their own distinct cultures. Pohnpei is one of four Micronesian island groups along with Yap, Chuuk and Kosrae.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Pohnpeian life around the island has elements of Pohnpei's past as well as Western cultures' influence. Local governemt and political government are separate, yet intertwined. Each of the five municipalities has a Nan Mwarki (king) and Nahnken (speaking chief) as well as many other local title holders. Very important to their culture are feasts of variuos kinds. You can count on three things being present at these feasts: pwig (pigs), kehp (yams) and sakau en Pohnpei (kava). Political government for the Federated States of Micronesia operates out of Palikir and most Pohnpei State political governemt operates out of Kolonia. Many Pohnpeians are employed by the government and work in Kolonia. Fishing and agriculture are a large part of Pohnpeian life.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Pohnpeians would claim to be Christians. About half of the professing Christians are Catholc and half are Protestant. Spiritism is still sometimes practiced among non-Christians and even interwoven into many Christian groups.


What Are Their Needs?

Pohnpeians need revival in every area of life. Many Christians are nominal and have little evidence of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many young people in Pohnpei are getting into trouble because of lack of things to do as well as the infiltration of Western culture. Youth focused ministry would be a great asset in Pohnpei.


Prayer Points

Pray for the leaders of the churches in Pohnpei - that God would use them to lead Pohnpeians into a personal, hand-holding relationship with Jesus Christ.
Pray for the youth of Pohnpei - that God would raise up leaders and send missionaries to help them cultivate a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as well as create positive environments and activites for them.
Pray that sound Biblical theology would be understood and taught in Pohnpei.


Scripture Prayers for the Ponapean in United States.


Profile Source:   Christian Jung  

People Name General Ponapean
People Name in Country Ponapean
Alternate Names Ngatik
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 26,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 5  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14439
ROP3 Code 108108
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country United States
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 20.00 %)
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Pohnpeian (800 speakers)
Language Code pon   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Ponapean
Dialect Code 20622   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Pohnpeian (800 speakers)
Language Code pon   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Ponapean
Dialect Code 20622   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Pohnpeian

Primary Language:  Pohnpeian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1862-1935)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1887-1977)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1994)
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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 Pohnpeian Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Pohnpeian YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Pohnpeian YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Photo Source Christian Jung 
Map Source Christian Jung  
Profile Source Christian Jung 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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