Ranau People Group Profile

“For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9b, ESV).

The heartland of the Ranau people is the lush forest area surrounding the lake with the same name in southern Sumatra. There are only 17,000 Ranau. Most of them make their living by tourism-related industries or as farmers. The lake has a famous hot spring, and many people come to visit. Oddly enough, about once a year sulfur emissions from the center of the lake kill many fish. 

Most Ranau villages are mixed with Javanese, Daya, Komering, and some Chinese. Ranau men often own ceremonial knives called keris. It’s not unusual for occult belief of magical powers to be attributed to these knives.

The Ranau are Muslim by tradition, but they often have stronger beliefs in ancestral places and magical items such as charms or keris. There are a few known believers among this people group and no indigenous fellowships. There are no groups currently focused on sharing the Gospel with the Ranau.

Pray that:

God will call, equip, and send many workers to the Ranau.

God will guide many Ranau to the knowledge of God.

Believers will use tourism as an opportunity to send short-term teams to share the Gospel with the Ranau.

Strongholds of occultism will be broken by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ranau believers will be trained to effectively share the Gospel with family and friends.

New believers will be gathered into Ranau fellowships that will rapidly multiply.

Workers will have wisdom and perseverance in reaching the Ranau with the Gospel.