pronounced: MAHN-dar
The Mandar people live on low coastal plains and mountains in the province of West Sulawesi. The Mandar region is surrounded by mountains with a large area in the middle suitable for rice fields. As a society that used to be an independent kingdom, the Mandar recognize three social classes. The high class consists of the nobility, the middle class are the commoners, and the lowest class is the slave class. The nobility are referred to as Daeng for "royal class" and Puang for the "common class". There is a king of the Mandar, chosen by traditional leaders. The Mandar people are Muslims. At the same time, traditional animistic beliefs are still strong in daily life. They believe in the power of unseen spirits that inhabit sacred places. The services of a dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) are often sought.
Some scripture has been published in the Mandar language. Please pray for scripture to actually become available to the people such that they can learn from it.
Perhaps church planters from other Indonesian people groups will come to the Mandar. Pray they won't be overlooked.
"Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power." Psalm 145:4
Pray that many from this people group will train their children in the ways of the Lord, who in turn will teach their children as well.
Please pray the few followers of Christ among the Mandar will learn to put on the full armor of God, being protected against all that will harm their faith and their testimony. The Mandar need assistance in management of their commercial agricultural enterprises so that they can obtain maximum profit. They need help to professionally market sea products (sea turtle and cakalang fish) to obtain the highest market values.
