Lamalera in Indonesia

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

Introduction / History

The Lamalera people were once under the control of the Portuguese during the 1500s when they ruled much of what is now Indonesia. They survived the Japanese occupation of the early 1940s, and now they are under the control of the Indonesian government. This people group is very sensitive to outsiders trying to tell them what to do.


Where Are they Located?

The Lamalera people live on the Indonesian island of Timbata, between the islands of Timor and Flores. They have only two villages.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Their land is not conducive to farming, so they have to depend on the sea for their food source. Much to the dismay of international conservationists, they hunt sperm whales and dolphins for food. They also hunt other sea creatures. There are efforts to either force or bribe them into not hunting whales and dolphins, but at this time, they continue to do so. They want to be left alone, and they are contacting human rights organizations when pressured to stop their traditional practices.

After killing their prey, the Lamalera people divide up the meat, which they either eat or trade for rice, corn or vegetables with people from other villages. Some of them are professors, businessmen and other professionals, but most still live by the simple, cash-less ways of their ancestors.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Lamalera people believe that sperm whales are a gift from their ancestors and their god. Lamaleras believe that the sins of their ancestors can cause serious problems for them today. Even those who are Roman Catholic do not question this. They had a strong Roman Catholic mission effort among them at one time, dating back to the days when the Portuguese were powerful in this part of the world.


What Are Their Needs?

The Lamalera people need to find a way to earn a living that will not cause problems for the world's ecosystem. It will take someone with great tact and diplomatic skills to help them move away from hunting sperm whales and dolphins, and towards something more constructive.


Prayer Points

Pray that the few who are Roman Catholic will put their faith entirely in Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Pray that they will take this message to others in their communities, resulting in a disciple-making movement among the Lamalera people.


Scripture Prayers for the Lamalera in Indonesia.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18968/ID
https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wa/the-tiny-indonesian-village-of-lamalera-says-whaling-is-vital-to-its-way-of-life-ng-68fb13ae04dc1dc27286fd022aa41bfa
http://www.traveller.com.au/indonesian-traditional-lamalera-whaling-village-last-of-the-great-ocean-hunters-gjwhap


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Lamalera
People Name in Country Lamalera
Alternate Names
Population this Country 4,800
Population all Countries 4,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 18968
ROP3 Code 115415
ROP25 Code 304567
ROP25 Name Lamalera
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 Nusa Tenggara Timur Province; south coast, Lembata island. At least 3 villages.   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 Nusa Tenggara Timur Province; south coast, Lembata island. At least 3 villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Lamalera in Indonesia Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
70.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
25.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Lamalera (4,800 speakers)
Language Code lmr   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Lamalera (4,800 speakers)
Language Code lmr   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Lamalera

Primary Language:  Lamalera

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2022)
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
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Lamalera Jesus Film Project
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  Faiz Zaki - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source People Group location: SIL / WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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