Simeulue People Group Profile

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13, NIV).

The heartland of the 50,000 Simeulue people is a small island off the west coast of Aceh Province. The island has beautiful beaches and lush green jungles. Earthquakes frequently affect both the island and its people. The infrastructure is minimal; most villages are along the coastline. Health care is almost non-existent.

Most Simeulue families make their living from fishing or farming. Many men work as lobster divers. Because of poor equipment and dangerous practices, many of these divers end up paralyzed or dead. Those who work as divers are considered daring and brave.

The Simeulue speak a language called Ulau at home, but they can also speak Indonesian. They are simple people who live communally. They fish, work the fields, wash laundry by hand, collect firewood for cooking, watch over each other’s children, play volleyball or soccer, and eat fish and rice together.  Weddings and funerals take place in their homes and are attended by the entire village.  Most of the Simeulue people have little knowledge of the world beyond their island.

To be Simeulue is to be Muslim, although they also have many animistic beliefs about spirits and magic. The Mosque (place of worship) and Musholla (place of prayer) are present in every village. These places are central to the Simeulue village social structure. To be cast out of the Mosque is to be cut off from village life.

There is no indigenous church among the Simeulue Only a handful of Simeulue people are followers of Jesus.

Pray that:

Simeulue believers will grow in spiritual wisdom and maturity.

Believers will help with community development and health needs in order to share the Gospel.

Scriptures and appropriate tools will be developed to share the Gospel with the Simeulue.

New believers will have boldness and courage to face persecution and opposition.

God will call out workers with a heart to reach the Simeulue, and will open the local culture to be more accepting of outsiders.

God will prepare many Simeulue hearts to receive the Gospel.

God will call out thousands of intercessors to pray for the Simeulue people.