Bengkulu People Group Profile

“‘Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation’” (Isaiah 12:2, ESV).

The Bengkulu people are descended from a mixture of different cultures including the Malay, Mingangkabau, Aceh, Bugis, and Jawa peoples. The 60,000 Bengkulu live in and around the city of Bengkulu on the southwestern coast of Sumatra. The Bengkulu language is a form of Malay. Because of their blended heritage, the Bengkulu are welcoming to many other ethnic groups. Therefore, there are several people groups living among the Bengkulu.

The extended family unit is very important in Bengkulu society. Very few family decisions are made without the consensus of parents and siblings. When community-wide decisions are made, the Bengkulu seek consensus through a council comprised of respected leaders from all the family units in the community.

Most Bengkulu people earn a living from fishing. Because of this, the Bengkulu still celebrate Tabot according to the Islamic calendar. This festival is held to honor the Sea Dragon so that their fishermen will not be harmed at sea. The Bengkulu are Muslim, but, as is seen in the celebration of Tabot, they still hold to some traditional, animistic beliefs.

There are only a handful of Bengkulu believers. There is currently no indigenous Bengkulu church.

Pray that:

God will turn the Bengkulu people into fishers of men.

Entire Bengkulu family groups will receive the Gospel together.

Dreams and visions will be given to the Bengkulu, awakening them to the truth of who Jesus is.

Believers living among the Bengkulu will become burdened to share the Gospel boldly.

Believers will receive training in how to share in a sensitive and relevant way with the Bengkulu.

God will call fellowships in the United States and on Sumatra to adopt the Bengkulu in prayer and through sending workers.

The first indigenous, reproducing church will soon be birthed among the Bengkulu.