The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands

People and Language Detail Report Profile Year: 2003 Language Name: 'Are'are ISO Language Code: alu The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands The 'Are'are...
Author: Julian Newman
1 downloads 2 Views 49KB Size
People and Language Detail Report

Profile Year:

2003

Language Name:

'Are'are

ISO Language Code: alu

The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands The 'Are'are people are Melanesian living on the island of Malaita in the Pacific Ocean. Their island is the most populous of the 900 Solomon Islands. It is very lush and beautiful with over 100 inches of rain each year. Before Christianity they traditionally believed in ancestor worship and spiritual rituals to appease the gods. Christianity came to the island three or four decades ago. At the present time 80% of the people would call themselves Christians but the majority are syncretistic or neo-pagan. They have very little money but live off their farming of taro, yams, sweet potatoes and some greens. In addition, they gather coconuts and look to the forest for firewood. They eat fish, when available, chickens, ducks, and some pig at festival times. They sometimes bring the young wild pigs into their homes to be tamed. For recreation they play soccer. There are some books in English. The scripture have not been translated into their language. However, they are open and receptive to Christianity and definitely need the scriptures. As of this date there is no plan to assign a new team to the 'Are'are people.

Primary Religion: Syncretistic Christianity Disciples (Matt 28.19): 10 - 15% Churches: 200 Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): No Population (date): 20,000+ (2003)

The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands Item Name

Item Note

Have They Heard The Gospel?

Profile Summary

Call Themselves Christian (%)

80%

Believe In Jesus As God & Only Savior (%)

10 - 15%

Prophet/Good Man, But Not God's Son (%)

10%

Believe In The Local Traditional Religion (%)

5 - 10%

Have Not Heard Who Jesus is (%)

0%

Number Of Pastors

100

Number Of Missionaries Working

0

Response To The Gospel

Rapid church growth; General acceptance

Comment (Number Communities)

Many hamlets side by side. 40 regions

Number Of Churches

200

Is The Word Of God Translated?

No

Translation Medium

None

Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution?

Lack of transportation and communication.

Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available (Summary)

None, except for English books.

What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed?

Medical, occasionally food, assisting in schools, participation in community events and fund-raisers

Countries Where People Group Lives Country Name

Group Description Solomon Islands

Geography & Environment Location

Group Description 'Are'Are

Country

Solomon Islands

Ecosystem Type

Tropical Forest

Geological Type

Mountain Slopes

Elevation

100 - 1,000 meters

Longitude

161 E.

Latitude

9 S.

Climate

Tropical/Oceanic

Language & Linguistics Primary Language

Group Description AREARE

Dialects

Many dialects

Attitude Towards Mother Tongue

Very receptive

Percent Monolingual (%)

Minority

Second Languages

Pijin, English

Linguistically Related Languages

SAA

Linguistically Related Languages

OROHA

Linguistically Related Languages

DORIO

Linguistically Related Languages

KWAIO

Neighboring Languages

KWAIO

Neighboring Languages

SAA

Neighboring Languages

OROHA

Neighboring Languages

DORIO

Active Language Programs

NO

The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands Item Name

Item Note

Literacy

Group Description

Adult Literacy Percentage

15 - 20% in English/Pijin

Percent Literate For Men

15 - 20%

Percent Literate For Women

15 - 20%

Literacy Attitude

Indifferent

Active Literacy Program

No

Publications In Vernacular

No literature

Comment (Literacy)

Trial edition of New Testament portions written, but unknown where copies, if any, would be.

Economics

Group Description

Subsistence Type

Agriculturalists

Subsistence Type

Fishers

Average Annual Income

$400 - $500

Occupation

Subsistence Farming

Income Sources

Copra, jobs in Capitol, working on ships

Products / Crafts

Carve shells, make shell money

Trade Partners

None

Modernization / Utilities

Electricity in 1 or 2 villages - 5% of population

Community Development Health Care (Quality) Comment (Health Care) Diet (Quality) Comment (Diet) Water (Quality) Comment (Water)

Group Description Poor Clinics but no supplies Fair Tubers, some greens, coconut, fish, when available, and some pig for festivals Good Gravity piping

Shelter Description

Total sago palm leaf houses. 5% would have corrugated iron roof

Electricity

Less than 5%

Energy/Fuel (Quality)

Good

Comment (Energy)

Wood

Clothing

Used western

Transportation

Canoe, ship for inter-island

Infant Mortality Rate

Fairly high

Life Expectancy

60

Leading Cause Of Death

Malaria and other common illnesses

Society & Culture

Group Description

Family Structures

Extended (clannish)

Neighbor Relations

Fair to Good

Authority / Rule

South there are chiefs; north there is not much authority

Social Habits/Groupings

Final ceiling of marriage (bride price), funerals

Cultural Change Pace

Rapid

Self Image

Threatened

Judicial / Punishment System

Minor - locally through compensation. Felony - courts

Celebrations

Church calendar, conferences

Recreations

Sitting around and talking, soccer, music

The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands Item Name

Item Note

Art Forms

Tattoos, music (drums & panpipes), weaving with bamboo and sago leaves on houses, carve shells, make shell money

Media

No

Local Language Broadcasting

None

Attitude To Outsiders

Somewhat resistant

Comment (Culture)

Not happy when their language is threatened

Youth

Group Description

Labor and tasks (6-12 year olds)

Fish, gather wood, babysit

Youth Problems (Teens)

Pregnancy, drinking, lack of control by adults, gambling

Youth Greatest Needs (teens)

Opportunities (jobs) on their own land (something to do)

Education

Group Description

Primary Schools

20

Primary School Enrollment

150 - 200 per school

Secondary Schools

1 Catholic (just starting)

Percent Of Eligible Students Enrolled

Minority and each year the percentage goes down

Teacher To Pupil Ratio

1:35

Language Of Instruction Early Years

Pijin

Language Of Instruction Early Years

English

Language Of Instruction Early Years

'Are'are

Church Growth

Status of Christianity

Reached Status

Engaged

Reached Classification

Evangelized

Total Baptized

25%

Lay Leaders

50

Bible Schools

1

Christian Clinics/Hospitals

0

Christian Literacy Centers

0

Religion & Response

Status of Christianity

Attitude To Christianity

Somewhat receptive

Attitude To Christianity

Somewhat resistant

Attitude To Religious Change

Very resistant

Resistance / Receptivity

Receptive by individuals who think they can gain something

Religious Analogies & Bridges

None

Spiritual Climate And Openness

Generally open

Comment (Religion)

Initial responsiveness was good. They could use the Bible.

Recommended Approaches

Need scriptures. Could translate it themselves--someone within society (institution). It needs to be identified as an 'Are'are priority and set up in such a way that individuals, seeking personal gain, can't destroy it.

Items For Prayer

Pray that a group will want the translation enough to actually try to make it happen.

History Of Christianity In Group Year Began Comments (History of Christianity)

Status of Christianity Started 3 or 4 decades ago History of Christianity is still in progress

Scripture Available Scripture

Status of Christianity None

The 'Are'are of Solomon Islands Item Name Reason For Urgent Need Of Translation

Item Note There is no plan to assign new teams.

Missions and Churches

Status of Christianity

Organization Name

Church of Melanesia (ANG)

Organization Name

Seventh Day Adventists

Organization Name

South Seas Evangelical Church