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