Yei in Indonesia

Introduction / History

The Yei are sometimes known as the Yey, Jei, Je, Yei-Nan people. There are at least 2 dialects in Yei: upper and lower. There are many transmigration camps are in their area. At home the Yei people speak their own language but Indonesian is used for trade and wider communication and at school.

What Are Their Lives Like?

They live primarily by hunting, fishing, gardening (short and long-term crops) in the lowlands bordering Papua New Guinea. With their land at an altitude of less than 100 meters above sea level the Yei people can best be accessed by vehicle on the road from Merauke or by boat.
People generally wear modern clothing. The Yei folks eat roasted sago with fish. Houses are generally made from tree trunks and leaves but some have Java style houses. Most villages have a clinic or health worker but the people still use traditional medicine. The Yei people have no gospel cassettes, films or videos in their language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

There are at least 4 Catholic and 4 Protestant churches in the language area.

What Are Their Needs?

There is very little infrastructure in the area: no telephones, electricity or radios. The people get their drinking water in most villages from the river, but some get water from wells or rain.

Prayer Points

Pray for the infrastructure to improve; that their homes will soon have electricity and running water.
Pray for spiritual revival in Yei churches, drawing them to become Christ's disciples.
Pray that soon Yei disciples will make more disciples.
Pray for the Lord to give some the gift of healing, leading many to understand God's power and love.

Text Source:   Joshua Project