Gayo People Group Profile

“‘But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it’” (Matthew 13:16-17, NIV).

The 300,000 Gayo live in the Aceh province of Northern Sumatra. The heart of their area is the Gayo Highlands of the passes of the Bukit Barisan mountain range. Most of the Gayo work as coffee farmers, but they are also known as fishermen and craftsmen. Kerawang Gayo is a famous handicraft that features fine gold embroidery. The Gayo have a strong oral tradition. Stories are passed down from generation to generation in traditional Gayo poems.

Most Gayo follow Islam, but they are typically not as strict as their Acehnese neighbors. There are noticeably less Mosques in Gayo communities than in Acehnese areas. Many Gayo still believe in good and bad spirits. They revere holy men, both living and dead, and often make offerings to them for guidance with life problems and spiritual protection.

 

There are only a few known believers and no existing Gayo church. The Gayo have great needs in the areas of agriculture development, healthcare and education. While area officials have traditionally been resistant to allowing outside assistance into Gayo communities, they themselves have not done much to meet the needs of the Gayo people.

Pray that:

God will reveal to the Gayo about the wisdom and protection available in Christ is greater than the spirits that they fear or the holy men they revere.

God will burden believers already living among the Gayo to reach out and share the Gospel with their neighbors.

Doors will open for believers to meet some of the community development needs in Gayo communities.

Believers seeking to reach the Gayo will have wisdom, courage, spiritual protection and unity.

God will call more workers to live among and reach out to the Gayo.

New believers will be gathered, grown and turned loose to reach their own people group.

God will protect new believers from persecution and spiritual attacks.