Introduction / History

The Biritai are sometimes known as the Ati, Aliki, or Biri people. Some prefer to be called Obogwi-Tai. The Biritai language is part of the East Tarike language family.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The people eat sago, bananas, and fish. House walls are made from palm bark and poles, while the roofs are thatched. They are primarily hunters in their homeland on the flat lakes plains. At an altitude of 500 meters above sea level the Biritai people can best be accessed by airplane into the airstrip at Biri. They migrated from what is now the Kaiy language area because of a flood some time ago. The Biritai folks are descendents of the Usai, Kusai, and Matemtai clans. Intermarriage is common among the Welemo, Papasena, Eri, Iri, War and Biritai peoples.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Almost two-thirds of the Biritai identify as Christian, but they have much spiritual baggage from traditional religion.

What Are Their Needs?

Malaria, elephantitis, and tropical ulcers are common diseases. The Biritai people have no gospel film or videos in their language.

Prayer Items

Pray for hundreds of Biritais to be blessed with an unwavering faith in Christ, one that will not be shaken, no matter what comes their way.
Pray for God to bring about his purpose for the Biritai people.
Pray for Christians to have love, joy, peace, and patience as they tell others about the King of kings.
Pray that soon Biritai disciples will be spreading the word of the Lord to other villages.

Scripture Prayers for the Biritai in Indonesia.

References

GMI Papua