Jambi Malay People Group Profile

“My righteousness draws near, my salvation has gone out, and my arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands hope for me, and for my arm they wait” (Isaiah 51:5 ESV).

The 1 million Jambi Malay are proud to be descendants of the 7^th century Malay kingdom. This pride has led them to cling to their culture and traditions with tenacity that at times is not healthy. They live along the inland rivers and tributaries of central Sumatra. Many Jambi men work as fishermen. The Batanghari River is an important source of both food and income. Extensive palm oil plantations in the area also provide many families with their income.

Travel is often done by river because many of the villages are near waterways. It’s difficult for outsiders to get to most Jambi Malay villages. Typically, outsiders are viewed with distrust.

To be Jambi is to be Muslim. Every village has a mesjid (mosque) and many have madrasah (Islamic school). They govern every aspect of their lives based on the Qur’an and the Hadith. They also believe that religious leaders, dwarfs, and dukuns (occult healers) have supernatural powers.

The Jambi people, despite their deep religious convictions, struggle with deep seated corruption on every level of society and deeper than usual sexual sin. Many Jambi families are in crisis because of these sin strongholds.

There are only a handful of known believers, and no indigenous Jambi church. As most of the Jambi people live in isolation and view outsiders with distrust, it’s extremely difficult for believers to reach this people group.

Pray that:

God will open doors for believers to enter into Jambi villages.

Cultural pride will not continue to blind the Jambi to their need of a Savior.

Jambi believers will be strong and bold in the face of family and community opposition.

Jesus will call to the hearts of Jambi people to drop their nets and become fishers of men.

God will prepare the hearts of Jambi people to receive the Gospel.

Believers will be Holy Spirit led to Jambi people of peace.

The first ever indigenous Jambi Malay church will be birthed before the end of this year.