Praying for Indonesia

Join the movement!

  • About Indonesia
    • Overview of Indonesia
    • Quick Facts About Indonesia
    • The Islands of Indonesia
    • Indonesia: Think Big!
  • 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
  • News
  • Testimonies
  • Get Involved
    • Prayer Resources
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Ethnic Groups / The People of Sumatra / Who are the Kaur?

Who are the Kaur?

The Kaur are one of the original peoples of Bengkulu Province. They were originally from Bintuhan in the South Kaur district of South Bengkulu, but today many live in the North Kaur district. The Trans-Sumatra highway passes through Bintuhan, the district capital of South Kaur. The Kaur speak their own language, which is part of the Malay language cluster.

Most Kaur villages are located in groups along the banks of small rivers in this area. The Kaur area is near where the Seraway and Besemah peoples live. Geographically, the Kaur may be divided into two subgroups. Those who live in the South Kaur district are normally called Bintuhan. Their dialect is greatly influenced by the Lampung dialect. Those who live in the North Kaur district have been influenced by the Besemah people.

What are their lives like?

The Kaur depend primarily on rice cultivation for their livelihood. The area is also known for clove and pepper production. Other major crops include peanuts, coffee, rattan, and fruit–especially banana, mango, pineapple, and durian. Other jobs include tending livestock, fishing, and trading.

Kaur men work in the fields while the women manage their households. Although the Kaur live along the beach, very few are fishermen. The few who become fishermen use boats without engines, so they cannot go very far out into the ocean. However, a few people have become fishermen using motorboats and their income is considered quite high.

The Kaur live in tin-roofed houses with access to electricity. One unique feature of Kaur houses is that they are all painted blue and white. Traditional wood-burning stoves are commonly used for cooking. Each house has a well in the backyard. Chickens, ducks, and cows roam freely.

‘Gotong royong’ (mutual cooperation), a traditional system of working together, is a still a strong custom practiced by most Kaur. This custom is evident in the assistance they offer each other during harvesting time.

The Kaur are not allowed to marry someone from the same clan but may marry a Kaur person from another village. Weddings can only take place in the part of the year after the Rice Harvest Celebration. Most men marry around twenty and women around fifteen or sixteen.

If the groom wants his bride to live with his family, he must pay a dowry to the bride’s family. If the groom goes to live with the bride’s family, her family is only obligated to give a token gift to the groom’s family.  The older generation had large families, but because of the government sponsored family planning program, most families now only have three children.

What are their beliefs?

The Kaur people have been Sunni Muslims since the 17th century. Like other Malays, they observe religious ceremonies with a communal meal (sedekah) to celebrate a birth, give thanks for a harvest, ask for rain, and ward off evil spirits.

What are their needs?

Currently, the Kaur need better technology in order to increase agricultural production so they can produce enough food for their own consumption as well as for trade. Kaur villages near beaches have not yet tapped into the ocean as a source of income.

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

During Ramadan, many Indonesians are preparing by buying extra food and trying to finish work that will be difficult to complete with shortened working hours. We pray in faith that the Kingdom of God would draw near in unprecedented measures during Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/L5Np…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · April 21, 2021
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

Sumi was baptized a few months ago after studying the Gospel for two years. She has been sharing her new faith to her family and community. Please pray for God to strengthen Sumi's new faith, and sustain her courageous heart as she spreads the Good News. Also pray for wisdom. pic.twitter.com/JFW6…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · April 20, 2021
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

The Penghulu are an indigenous group that live in West Sumatra. Out of 28,000 Penghulu, there are only 14 believers. They farm rice, rubber, cinnamon and coffee. Pray: For breakthrough their believes in Islam mixed with animistic. That for God's reveal in visions and dreams. pic.twitter.com/QJ9c…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · April 19, 2021
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory - Col 1:27 Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in a miraculous way to open unbelieving hearts during this month of Ramadan. pic.twitter.com/62II…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · April 18, 2021
Twitter
praying4indonesia
praying4indonesia
@ipray4indonesia

Praise the Lord for 21 Indonesians who expressed the desire to learn about Jesus through media ministry in March. Please pray for open hearts when they study the Word of God. Pray also for wisdom for the field workers delivering the Good News to these seekers. pic.twitter.com/jgfn…

reply retweet favorite
10:00 pm · April 17, 2021
Follow @ipray4indonesia

Praying For Indonesia Facebook

Praying for Indonesia

Copyright © 2010–2021 · Praying For Indonesia · Privacy Policy · About Us