Kerinci People Group Profile

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1, ESV).

The homeland of the 311,000 Kerinci is on the border of the West Sumatra and Jambi Provinces. Lake Kerinci and Mount Kerinci are notable landmarks in this lush jungle area. The Kerinci have a unique dialect from the Malay language family; they also have a distinct form of writing called Paku which is similar to old Javanese script.

Most Kerinci are farmers who grow rice, coffee, cinnamon, and various vegetables. Those who live near the lake often work as fishermen. The land is fertile, but the Kerinci could benefit from more modern farming techniques to improve their crop yields.

The Kerinci are Muslim with strong animistic influences. They fear spirits and use magic for protection and to bless their crops. Sexual permissiveness, prostitution, and widespread divorce are serious problems in Kerinci society that have significantly weakened the family. There are believers among the Kerinci, but they are a small minority who are trying to shine the light of Christ in the darkness surrounding them.

Pray that:

Kerinci believers will live holy lives and share a bold witness with those living around them.

The Holy Spirit will break the spiritual stronghold of lust that is destroying families among the Kerinci.

God will call and send a mature couple to live as cross-cultural workers among the Kerinci to help strengthen the believers and to reach out to the lost.

Indigenous Kerinci fellowships will rapidly reproduce amongst the Kerinci people.

God will call and equip more Kerinci spiritual leaders to shepherd the flocks, disciple the lambs, and seek out the lost.

Kerinci believers will stand strong in their faith and not use animistic charms or rituals when they encounter problems.

God will bless Kerinci believers so that those living around them will see that God is stronger than the spirits they fear.