Profile Year: 2004 People and Language Detail Report Language Name: Galeya ISO Language Code: gar The Galeya of Papua New Guinea The Galeya people live on Fergusson Island in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea. There are approximately 170 Galeya villages, most with less than 10 houses. Half of the villages are coastal, and half are in the mountains. Galeyans cultivate crops such as yams, bananas, and pineapples, primarily for personal consumption. Some produce is sold at local markets. Fresh fish supplements coastal villages’ diets. Houses are constructed on posts 5 or 6 feet above the ground. The floor and walls are made of palm wood, and palm leaves form the roofs. Most people wear modern clothing, although a few girls and women still wear grass skirts. The first missionary to the Galeya area was Dr. William E. Bromilow, of the Methodist Church, who briefly visited the Galeya people in the late 19th century. Tradition holds that a fierce Galeya warrior named Kwaredi was a leader in tribal warfare before Bromilow’s arrival. Bromilow wanted to end warfare and cannibalism in the area, so he paid a visit to Kwaredi, bringing gifts—a stick of tobacco and a white cloth, symbolizing light and the end of war. The missionary tied the cloth around Kwaredi’s waist, prayed with the people, and then left them. Reportedly, Bromilow’s visit marked the end of fighting in the Galeya area. There was a second wave of missionaries in the 20th century, who came to plant churches. Between the 1930s and 1950s, there were three influential missionaries from the neighboring Dobu language group. Thus, the heritage of Primary Religion: the Galeya churches rests largely upon Dobu roots. To this day, the Dobu Christian language plays a prominent role in Galeya churches. There is a Dobu Bible, which is frequently used in church, however, most Galeyans do not speak Dobu Disciples (Matt 28.19): well enough to understand Dobu Scriptures. Although many Galeya people claim 8% - 15% to be Christians, many are only nominal. Some profess Christianity while still practicing elements of their traditional religion, such as sorcery. Churches: 13 Scripture Status (Matt 28.20): None in Galeya Population (date): 2,623 (2000) The Galeya of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Have They Heard The Gospel? Profile Summary Call Themselves Christian (%) >50% Comment (Call Themselves Christian) It is reported that 75% would call themselves Christian. Believe In Jesus As God & Only Savior (%) 8% - 15% Prophet/Good Man, But Not God's Son (%) This is not addressed in the report for this people group. Believe In The Local Traditional Religion (%) 80% to 90 % Believe in their local, traditional religion Have Not Heard Who Jesus is (%) 0% Number Of Pastors 22 Comment (Pastors) Most preachers are laymen. Number Of Missionaries Working 17 Response To The Gospel Approximately half of the Galeya people belong to a church. There are some true believers, while many people are nominal Christians. People commonly practice elements of their traditional religion, such as sorcery. Number Of Communities There are approximately 170 Galeya villages, most with less than 10 houses. Half of the villages are coastal, and half are in the mountains. Comment (Number Communities) Approximately 170 hamlets, organized into 6 government wards. People associate themselves strongly with their ward. Listed here are the wards and the religious organizations present in each ward. Ward of Duduna - United Church, Jehovah’s Witness ward of Gameta - United Ward of Lau’oya - Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, United Ward of Momoawa - Catholic, Jehovah’s Witness Ward of Sebutuia - Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, United Ward of Ulua - United Number Of Churches 13 Is The Word Of God Translated? None in the mother tongue of this people group. Any Hinderance To Scripture Distribution? Lack of vernacular Scriptures Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available (Summary) There are no forms of Gospel presentations available in the mother tongue of this people group. The Bible is readily available in the Dobu language, but, the majority of the population does not speak Dobu well enough to understand the Scriptures. What Kind Of Missionaries Are Needed? The Galeya people need the Bible translated into their language so that they can clearly understand its message. In order to do this, they will need help from missionaries. Population All Countries Group Description World Population For This People 2,623 World Population (Date) 2000 World Population (Urban Percent) 0% Comment (World Population) The world population for this people group is according to the 2000 Census. Countries Where People Group Lives Group Description Country Name Papua New Guinea Geography & Environment Group Description Location Located on the eastern coast of Fergusson Island in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea Country Papua New Guinea Ecosystem Type Semi-tropical Geological Type Coastal Elevation 0-300 Meters Longitude E150.80337 to E150.90677 Latitude S9.42166 to S9.61658 Climate Tropical. 2 seasons: wet and dry. The Galeya of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Comments (Geography & Environment) The geological type is also reported to be mountainous slopes. Map Features Fergusson Island BasimaS9.49018 E150.83903 Gameta S9.42166 E150.80337 SebutuyaS9.57872 E150.86460 Taigwana’oya S9.58299 E150.84194 MomoawaS9.55933 E150.81553 YoridanS9.45103 E150.82502 Language & Linguistics Group Description Primary Language GALEYA Alternate Language Names GAREA Comment (Alternate Names) Basima, Lau’oya, Ulua*, and Gameta are also reported to be alternate names for this people group, but were not found in the 'Select List'. *Note: The author gave the spelling of this language name as 'Ulua', whereas in the Ethonologue, there is a spelling of 'Urua'. Comments (Dialect) Gameta, Ulua, Basima, and Galeya are reported to be dialects for this people group. Attitude Towards Mother Tongue Very receptive Percent Monolingual (%) > 25% Second Languages Dobu Second Languages English Comment (Second Language) Although there is a Dobu Bible, which is frequently used in church, most Galeyans do not speak Dobu well enough to understand Dobu Scriptures. Comment (On Other Mother Tongues) None Linguistically Related Languages DUAU Linguistically Related Languages Boselewa Linguistically Related Languages BUNAMA Linguistically Related Languages MWATEBU Linguistically Related Languages DOBU Linguistically Related Languages SEWA BAY Neighboring Languages DOBU Neighboring Languages Maiadomu Neighboring Languages MOLIMA Active Language Programs Yes Literacy Group Description Adult Literacy Percentage 72.4% Comment (Attitude to literacy) The adult literacy percentage is according to 2000 Census. Percent Literate For Men 72.3% (2000 Census) Percent Literate For Women 72.5% (2000 Census) Literacy Attitude Very receptive Active Literacy Program Yes Publications In Vernacular None, although elementary school teachers make “Big Books” in Galeya to use in the classroom. Comment (Literacy) There are local elementary schools teaching children to read and write in Galeya. Economics Group Description Subsistence Type Agriculturalists Comment (Subsistence Type) It is reported this people group are 'swidden' agriculturalists. Average Annual Income It is reported to be self-sustaining. However, the average annual income for all of PNG is reported to be $930 USD. Occupation Subsistence Farmers The Galeya of Papua New Guinea Item Name Item Note Income Sources Garden Produce Products / Crafts Baskets Trade Partners Trobriand Islands, Dobu, Duau, Amphletts. Some Galeya speakers are part of the traditional kula trading ring. Kula trading is a complex network in Milne Bay Province. Men involved in kula trade exchange red necklaces called bagi and kina shells called mwali. Modernization / Utilities Pressure lanterns, radio, and outboard motors. Community Development Group Description Health Care (Quality) Fair Comment (Health Care) Health services in the Galeya area are an aid post at Sebutuya and the Basima Health Center at Lau'oya. The Basima Health Center has more staff and services than the Sebutuya aid post. Both are staffed and open daily. Supplies may be short. There are sub-health centres at Budoya and Salamo and an aid post at Wadalei (Maiadom language area). The closest hospital is in Alotau, on the mainland. Diet (Quality) Good Comment (Diet) Banana, plantain, yam, sago, pineapple, citrus fruit, fish (coastal areas), greens, pumpkin, and coconut. Water (Quality) Fair Comment (Water) The water quality is reported to be 'fair-good'. Villages are close to rivers. One village had no fresh water source closer than 2 km away. Shelter Description Homes are made of palm wood, and the roofs of palm leaves. The homes are raised 4- 6 feet off the ground. Electricity None Energy/Fuel (Quality) Fair Clothing Most wear second hand western style clothes, although a few girls and women wear traditional grass skirts. Transportation Transportation is by walking, canoes, and dinghies. Infant Mortality Rate 53.15 per 1,000 live births (national average according to http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pp.html#People) Life Expectancy 64.56 years (national average according to http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/pp.html#People) Leading Cause Of Death Malaria Society & Culture Group Description Family Structures Villages in the southern part of the Galeya area appear to be patrilineal, while northern villages are matrilineal. Neighbor Relations Neighbor relations are mostly amiable, although