Yair in Indonesia

Introduction / History

The Northern Awyu is the language spoken by the Yair people of Indonesia. They are also called the Dyair, Djair, or Awyu people.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They primarily live by fishing, gathering sago, hunting, and eaglewood logging in this river-dependent area. With their land at an altitude of less than 100 meters above sea level the Yair people can best be accessed by airplane. A Missionary Aviation Fellowship airplane base is located in Boma on the language border.
The women join in the work by gathering food, fishing, and gardening. The clothing people wear is generally modern but rarely washed. The people eat fish, sago, and sago worms. The Yair people use knives, steel axes, bows and arrows, and shovels as tools. Houses are usually framed with log posts having palm or cement floors and plank or tree stem walls. Roofs are made either of tin or interwoven leaves. For economic infrastructure in the area there is a SSB radio in Boma, some personal generators for electricity, and a community satellite TV. The people get their drinking water usually straight from the river or a well. There is a health clinic in Kouh.
They enjoy dressing up traditionally with gourds and kasuari bird feathers to greet visitors. They also perform welcome dances with drums and arrows.
There is 1 junior high school in the language area.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Nearly three fourth of the Yairs identify as Christian. However, their faith is compromised by traditional religion.

What Are Their Needs?

Bible translation into their language has begun, but it is far from complete.

Prayer Points

Pray for an accurate and complete Bible in the Northern Awyu language.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring revival to Yair churches.
Pray for many to be called as Christ's ambassadors to Muslims in Indonesia.

Text Source:   Joshua Project