Profile Year: 2004 People and Language Detail Report Language Name: Kaki Ae ISO language code: tbd
The Kaki Ae of Papua New Guinea
The Kaki Arua’u are a relatively small group (population 630) who live along the coast, southeast of Kerema, that is the capital of Gulf Province. The Kaki Arua’u people speak the Kaki Ae language. They are subsistence farmers, growing sweet potato, plantains, coconut, and sago. The Kaki Arua’u villages consist of groups of 5 to 32 houses perched on posts over a meter off the ground with thatch roofs and walls of woven sago palm bark. Five of the six villages are on a potholed road, which once connected Kerema and Port Moresby, the national capital. However, parts of the road are currently impassible. Lou village is on the coast above a cliff that drops about 20 meters down to a narrow beach where the people fish at low tide. On the beach are narrow dugout outrigger canoes with cargo platforms. In addition to fishing, these are used to carry people and cargo to and from passing motorized dinghies, which do not dare to navigate through the rocks just off the beach in the crashing waves. People in the Kerema area used to travel in very large canoes all the way to where Port Moresby is today carrying sago with them, the edible pith of the sago palm, to trade for clay pots. The Kaki Arua’u now travel to Port Moresby by motorized boats and Public Motor Vehicles, to sell betel nut for cash. With regard to religion, Christianity is dominant, but it is not understood clearly due to the fact that the people do not have the Word of God in their own Religion: language. Kaki Ae was added to the list of languages awaiting Bible translators in Christian 1993, but 11 years have passed and they are still waiting.
Percent Disciples: 10-20%
Scripture Status: None
Population (date): 630 (2004) 0 = No Confidence 1 = Minimal Confidence Key 2 = Low 3 = Medium 4 = High 5 = Absolute The Kaki Ae of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Confidence People Group Definition Language Name Kaki Ae 5
Profile Summary, Title Page Primary Country Papua New Guinea 5 Description (150 to 320 words) The Kaki Arua’u are a relatively small group (population 630) who live 4 along the coast, southeast of Kerema, that is the capital of Gulf Province. The Kaki Arua’u people speak the Kaki Ae language. They are subsistence farmers, growing sweet potato, plantains, coconut, and sago. The Kaki Arua’u villages consist of groups of 5 to 32 houses perched on posts over a meter off the ground with thatch roofs and walls of woven sago palm bark. Five of the six villages are on a potholed road, which once connected Kerema and Port Moresby, the national capital. However, parts of the road are currently impassible. Lou village is on the coast above a cliff that drops about 20 meters down to a narrow beach where the people fish at low tide. On the beach are narrow dugout outrigger canoes with cargo platforms. In addition to fishing, these are used to carry people and cargo to and from passing motorized dinghies, which do not dare to navigate through the rocks just off the beach in the crashing waves. People in the Kerema area used to travel in very large canoes all the way to where Port Moresby is today carrying sago with them, the edible pith of the sago palm, to trade for clay pots. The Kaki Arua’u now travel to Port Moresby by motorized boats and Public Motor Vehicles, to sell betel nut for cash. With regard to religion, Christianity is dominant, but it is not understood clearly due to the fact that the people do not have the Word of God in their own language. Kaki Ae was added to the list of languages awaiting Bible translators in 1993, but 11 years have passed and they are still waiting. Primary Religion Christian 4 Summary Status, Scripture None 4 Summary Status, Population (year) 630 (2004) 4
Profile Summary, Back Page Pastors 1 4 Number Of Missionaries Working 2 4 % Call themselves Christian 100% 4 % Jesus As Their God & Only Savior 10-20% 4 Total Believers 10-20% 4 % Not Heard Who Jesus Is 0% 4 Response To Gospel (summary) Most people in the Kaki Arua’u area consider themselves Christians. As in 4 other places in Papua New Guinea, some of these are likely true believers, while others are nominal Christians.
It appears that some people still believe in elements of the traditional religion, including perhaps practice of magic and fear of sorcery. However, it is not possible to know what proportion of the population holds to these beliefs. Number of communities There are six villages. 4 Comment Number Communities Five of the six villages are on a potholed road, which once connected 4 Kerema and Port Moresby, the national capital. However, parts of the road are currently impassible. Lou village is on the coast above a cliff that drops about 20 meters down to a narrow beach where the people fish at low tide. Is The Word Of God Translated? No 4 Any Hinderance To Script. Distribution? Lack of vernacular Scriptures and the literacy rate is 23.1% (2000 Census). 4 The Kaki Ae of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Confidence Comment (Hindrances to scripture distribution) Recordings, Christian radio broadcasts, Scripture, and other Christian 4 literature are only available in English and Tok Pisin, and proficiency in English is quite limited. Proficiency in Tok Pisin is more widespread, although still limited, especially in Lou village. What Kind Of Missionaries Needed? For 11 years Kaki Ae speakers have been waiting for assistance from a 4 Bible translator. Population All Countries World Population For This People 630 4 World Population (Date) 2004 4 World Population (Urban Percent) 0% 4
Population By Country Country Name Papua New Guinea 5
Geography & Environment Location Located approximately 3 km southeast of Kerema in the Gulf Province of 5 Papua New Guinea. Ecosystem Type Tropical Forest 5 Geological Type Coastal 5 Elevation Sea Level 4 Longitude E 145.7 to E 145.8 4 Latitude S 7.9 to S 8.0 4 Climate Tropical 4 Map Features Kerema (Provincial Capital) S7.96354 E145.77038 4 Gulf of Papua Uriri S7.97795 E145.79498 Ovorio S7.98781 E145.81092 Kupiano S7.99755 E145.82437 Kupla S7.98587 E145.78708 Lou S8.01718 E145.81435 Language & Linguistics Primary Language Kaki Ae 5 Ethnologue Code tbd 5 Comment On Language Most Kaki Arua’u people can speak a second language (although not 4 necessarily proficiently). However, other than Kaki Ae, there is no other language that all people in the Kaki Ae area can speak. Bilingualism in neighboring languages, such as Tairuma and Toaripi, is reportedly more prevalent among older people than younger people, and virtually non- existent among children. Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu are both used as trade languages, with Tok Pisin being more commonly spoken by younger people and Hiri Motu being more commonly spoken by the older generation. Some people can speak English. Alternate Language Names Tati 4 Alternate Language Names Tate 4 Alternate Language Names Lorabada 4 Alternate Language Names Lou 4 Alternate Language Names Raepa Tati 4 Comment Alternate Names Tati Ae and Paepa Tati are also reported to be alternate names for this 4 people group. Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Very receptive 5 Comment on Second Language English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu, Tairuma, Toaripi, and Orokolo are reported 4 to be second languages for this people group. Comment On Other Mother Tongues No other people group speaks this language as their Mother Tongue. 4 Comments On Related Languages Kaki Ae is the only language in its linguistic family, although it is distantly 4 related to Tairuma, Toaripi, Keuru, Opao, and Orokolo. The Kaki Ae of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Confidence Neighboring Languages Tairuma 4 Neighboring Languages Hamtai 4 Neighboring Languages Toaripi 4 Active Language Programs No 4 Corrections To Ethnologue Entry Population 630 (2004) 4
Literacy Adult Literacy Percentage 23.1% (2000 Census) 4 Comment attitude to literacy Literacy is seen as beneficial. 4 Percent Literate For Men 28.8% (2000 Census) 4 Percent Literate For Women 16.7% (2000 Census) 4 Literacy Attitude Very receptive 4 Active Literacy Program No 4 Publications In Vernacular None 4
Economics Subsistence Type Agriculturalists 5 Comment Subsistence Type This people group are also reported to be fishers. 4 Occupation Farming and fishing. 4 Income Sources Garden produce and betel nuts. 4 Products / Crafts Sago (made from the trunk of the sago palm), bilums (woven bags), and 4 woven pandanus mats. Modernization / Utilities Water tank, radio, and pressure lanterns. 4
Community Development Health Care (Quality) Fair 4 Comment Health Care There are no clinics in the Kaki Arua’u villages. Kupiano village is 4 approximately 7 kilometers from the hospital in Kerema. To get from Lou to the hospital in Kerema, one must either walk three hours over the mountain to the road and then catch a vehicle, walk along the coast, or travel by sea. Diet (Quality) Fair 4 Comment Diet Mostly yams, plantains, sago and some fish. 4 Water (Quality) Fair 4 Comment Water Water is mostly from tanks that collect rainwater. Most people in Lou do 4 not have access to tank water. It is common to draw water from, and to bathe in the river. Shelter Description Houses are constructed on wooden posts more than 1meter high. The 4 primary building materials are wood and tree bark, cut in strips that are woven together to make walls. Roofs are made of sago palm leaves. Electricity None 4 Energy/Fuel (Quality) Poor 4 Clothing Second hand, western style clothing. 4 Transportation Generally to travel from one village to another, people walk. There are 4 PMVs (small trucks that transport people for a fee of 1 Kina). People from Lou must first go over the mountain to come to the main road to catch a PMV. They can also travel to other villages by sea. Boat travel can be difficult when the sea is rough. Infant Mortality Rate 53.15 per 1,000 live births (This is the PNG national average according to 4 http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pp.html#People). Life Expectancy Life Expectancy: 64.56 years (This is the national average according to 4 http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pp.html#People). Leading Cause Of Death Malaria 4 The Kaki Ae of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Confidence
Society & Culture Family Structures The nuclear family is composed of the father, mother, and children. It is 4 common for families to adopt children. There are no rules prohibiting or requiring marriage with people from within the same group. There are isolated cases of polygamy. Authority / Rule There is an elected councilman in charge of handling disputes, as well as 4 village appearance and cleanliness. Cultural Change Pace Medium 4 Identification With National Culture Similar 4 Self Image Prestigious 4 Judicial / Punishment System Local court system. 4 Celebrations Christmas, New Year, and Easter. 4 Recreations Rugby, singing, guitar playing, and chewing betel nut. 4 Art Forms Women weave bilums (string bags) and pandanus mats. 4 Local Language Broadcasting None 4 Comment Local Language Broadcasting There is broadcasting in English and Tok Pisin. 4 Attitude To Outsiders Very receptive 4 Attitude To Change Very receptive 4
Youth Labor and tasks (6-12 year olds) Take care of younger siblings. 4
Education Primary Schools 1 4 Secondary Schools 1 4 Commment Education There are 0% unmixed schools. 4
Church Growth Reached Status Selected 4 Reached Classification Evangelized 4 Lay Leaders 4 4 Churches 3 4 Bible Schools 0 4 Christian Clinics/Hospitals 0 4 Christian Literacy Centers 0 4 Comment Church Growth Among this people group it is reported there are perhaps 10-20% Believers. 4
Religion & Response Attitude to Christianity Very receptive 4 Attitude to religious change Very receptive 4 Resistance / receptivity Receptive 4 Recommended approaches Work with existing churches. 4 Items for Prayer ·That Kaki Ae speakers can have the Bible in their heart language and for 5 a literacy program, so that they can read and understand the gospel in a clear form. “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it.” (Revelation 1:3) ·That the churches can grow spiritually and be strengthened. ·That people will be raised up who will support Bible translation, whether they are pastors, disciplers, Sunday School teachers or professionals who give service to the community. ·That the children in Lou can have access to education. History of Christianity in Group The Kaki Ae of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Confidence Year Began 1880's 4 By Whom James Chalmers, London Missionary Society 4 Significant Events LMS churches, through a series of mergers, became part of the United 4 Church in 1968, which has had Papua New Guinean leadership from its origin.
In 2000 a young church leader left the United Church, joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and started an SDA church in the Kaki Arua’u area at Kupiano. There are many SDA members in the Kerema area. Comments Uriri and the villages along the road belong to the Tairuma Circuit of the 3 United Church. Lou belongs to the Toaripi Circuit. Scripture Translation Status Definite 5 Available Scripture None 4 Comment Scripture Kaki Ae has been on a list of priority needs for Bible translation since 4 1993. However, no translation work has been started due to lack of translation personnel. Other forms of gospel available: Literature No 4 Other forms of gospel available: Recordings No 4 Other forms of gospel available: Film/Videos No 4 Other forms of gospel available: Radio No 4
Missions and Churches Organization Name Seventh Day Adventists 5 Main Ministry Church Planting 4 Year Started 2000 4 Number Of Adherents 58 4 Number Of Congregations 1 4 Number Of Workers Using Local Language 0 4 Organization Name United Church 5 Main Ministry Church Planting 4 Year Started 1968 4 Number Of Congregations 2 4 Number Of National Workers 2 (Pastors from other areas.) 4 Number Of Local Workers 4 4 Number Of Workers Using Local Language 2 4