Praying for Indonesia

Join the movement!

  • Pray 4 Ramadan
  • About Indonesia
    • Overview of Indonesia
    • Quick Facts About Indonesia
    • The Islands of Indonesia
    • Indonesia: Think Big!
    • News
  • Religion in Indonesia
    • Overview of Religions
    • Christianity In Indonesia
    • Buddhism in Indonesia
    • Hinduism in Indonesia
    • Islam in Indonesia
    • Folk Islam In Indonesia
  • Ethnic Groups
    • The People of Bali and Nusa Tenggara
    • The People of Java
    • The People of Kalimantan
    • The People of Maluku
    • The People of Sulawesi
    • The People of Sumatra
  • Testimonies
  • Get Involved
    • Prayer Resources
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Ethnic Groups / The People of Maluku / Who are the East Makian?

Who are the East Makian?

The East Makian, also called the Inner Makian, live on the east coast of the island of Makian. The rest of the island is inhabited by the West Makian. Makian is part of the province of North Maluku.

The Maluku Islands, historically called the “Spice Islands,” consist of over one thousand islands scattered throughout eastern Indonesia. They include most of the islands between Sulawesi and Papua, and between Timor and the Philippines.

The East Makian people can also be found in small communities on the islands of Bacan, Obi, and Mori Kayoa. The East Makian language, Tabayama, is part of the Austronesian language cluster. Tabayana is part of a larger linguistic group called the South Halmahera which also includes the Gane, Patani, and Sawai.

What are their lives like?

Most East Makian people are farmers. Since their land is not appropriate for growing rice, their primary crops are corn and bananas. Infertile land is generally left to lie fallow for as long as 7-10 years. Such land becomes available for use by anyone who wishes, until the owner returns to work it again. The East Makian also cultivate coconuts, which are processed to become copra. The East Makian who live on Halmahera and the nearby islands mostly work as fishermen.

The East Makian social system is a clan system, in which each family line in known as a soa. Individuals must marry someone from outside their soa. Traditionally, a new couple lives in the neighborhood of the husband’s family.

What are their beliefs?

As Muslims, the East Makian practice rites such as circumcision, prayer services at the mosque, and fast during the month of Ramadan. Traditional beliefs about the supernatural realm, however, have a powerful influence on their daily lives. The shaman is a powerful figure in their communities.

Islam was brought to the East Makian through a man named Mohamad Arzad, a Minangkabau Muslim from West Sumatra. He married the daughter of the Makian king.

What are their needs?

The East Makian need better means of sea transportation in order to expedite their trade and relationships with the communities of the neighboring islands. Formal and informal education is also needed to increase their income and improve their quality of life.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Get This FREE Prayer Guide!

Download this Free book today and also get prayer updates!

* indicates required

Newest Tweets

Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

Rini had put her faith in the Savior for many years. Recently her mother found her Bible and confronted her – ordering her to renounce the Savior or leave home. Heartbroken Rini left home and since then has lived in a neighbor’s garage. Pray for grace and God’s provision for Rini pic.twitter.com/OjoK…

reply retweet favorite
11:00 pm · January 30, 2023
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

Pray Acts 4:29-30 over the believers and the work in Indonesia We pray for your servants in Indonesia. Grant them the power to continue to speak your word with boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal those in need. Provide signs and wonders performed in the name of Jesus. pic.twitter.com/OcxF…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · January 29, 2023
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

A religious leader who was crippled for 7 months, instantly received healing from the Savior as he came to believe. His new faith has resulted in him being rejected by his family. Pray for the Lord to give him strength in his new faith and to walk closely to the Lord. pic.twitter.com/R5jq…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · January 28, 2023
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

Praise the Lord for the deaf and mute ministry in Sulawesi. They have provided sign language and skills training for their members. The members have gathered together for activities like watching movies. Pray for a church service for the deaf and mute on Sulawesi. pic.twitter.com/jUYb…

reply retweet favorite
2:30 am · January 28, 2023
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

Fitri has had several dreams but she hasn’t shared her dream with her Christian schoolmate until she was a teenager. Her schoolmate showed her picture of Jesus. Fitri recognized that this was the man she met in her dream. Fitri came to believe and was baptized 3 years ago. pic.twitter.com/cEqA…

reply retweet favorite
12:30 am · January 27, 2023
Follow @ipray4indonesia

Praying For Indonesia Facebook

Praying for Indonesia

Copyright © 2010–2023 · Praying For Indonesia · Privacy Policy · About Us