Kayu Agung People Group Profile

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13, ESV).

The 20,000 Kayu Agung people live in the Kayu Agung and Upper Ogan Komering Ilir districts of South Sumatra. Kayu Agung means “great or noble wood.” The Kayu Agung language is a form of Malay. They earn their living from farming and trading. Often they do both because the swampy land where they live is not able to support crops year-round.

Most Kayu Agung people live in the same area their entire lives, but there is a tradition that leads many young men to leave their villages. The idea is somewhat akin to Robin Hood. The men leave for the purpose of stealing something really valuable and then bringing the wealth back to the village. Those who succeed are highly honored. Those who fail rarely return. They either die or are imprisoned in their attempts to take from the rich. Others settle elsewhere rather than facing the shame of their failure. It’s common to read newspaper articles about Kayu Agung men dying in shoot-outs with local police.

The Kayu Agung are predominately Islamic. They also believe that the spirits of the dead can cause problems for the living. Because of this belief they perform a ritual with flowers that will confuse the spirit so that it will not stay in the area. They often consult the dukun (shaman) for help with planting, harvesting, and various health issues. There are few known believers and no known Kayu Agung churches.

Pray that:

God will open the hearts of the Kayu Agung people to hear and receive the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit will bring conviction of sin amongst the Kayu Agung so that they confess Christ.

Intercessors will battle for the Kayu Agung until a strong, indigenous Gospel witness is established.

Believers will be willing to give sacrificially to show the love of Jesus to the Kayu Agung.

Workers will have discernment to see the needs of the Kayu Agung and wisdom to serve them accordingly.

Believers among the Kayu Agung will be taught to obey God’s Word and become fishers of men.

The spiritual harvest will come soon among the Kayu Agung.