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 Lampungese
A people divided
The Lampungese are a diverse people group with several sub-groupings and a number of different dialects. The official motto of Lampung province is "One Earth, Two Cultures/Customs." This refers to the two cultural divisions of the Lampungese: the Pepadun or "ritual throne" group and the Non-Pepadun or "non-ritual throne" group.
Their historical use of a ritual throne and also a modern use of the throne in weddings and other ceremonies designate these groups.
The Lampungese can also be divided geographically. The Abung are mountain people with a history of head hunting and raiding. The Pubian and Peminggir are both lowland groups whose livelihood is fishing and shipping agricultural goods.
Their province is in a strategic area, linking Sumatra with the economically booming island of Java.
 A people striving to be separate
Most Lampungese still live in villages and smaller cities surrounded by family and close friends. The Lampungese are deeply rooted in cultural and religious rules and rituals. Their lives within the community are dominated by strict adherence to these rules and rituals. Breaking these rules, or crimes against other Lampungese, can result in extremely violent retribution by the family members of the offended party.
A people's ancient culture in danger
With many other people groups, including Javanese, Balinese and Sundanese, relocating to Lampung province, the Lampungese are no longer the majority people in their own territory. As modernization becomes a stronger force, young Lampungese are giving up their village life and customs to live in the city. There is a growing danger of losing a significant portion of the history and artifacts of Lampung, but the Lampungese are proud of their heritage and seem determined to preserve and protect their culture.
A people entrenched in Islam
The Lampungese people are staunch Muslims, however, the Lampungese maintain some pre-Islamic beliefs in spirits and ghosts. Islam is the official religion, but it is sometimes a mask for old and new forms of folk religion.
Although their language is not frequently heard outside of conversations between Lampungese, it is estimated that well over half of all Lampungese still speak their native language. The Lampungese have no Bible in their language, but many can read the Indonesian Bible.
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Population:
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+\- 2 million
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Religion:
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Orthodox Muslims; folk Islam
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Language:
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Lampungese
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Geographical location/s:
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Indigenous to the southernmost province of Sumatra, an island in western Indonesia
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Percentage evangelized (access to the gospel):
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9 percent (5th least evangelized megapeople in the world)
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 Profile: Narrative works in cloth
Woven ship cloths have been used in the past to confirm ties between families. A certain type of ship cloth, called tapis, are also significant during rituals, life crisis ceremonies and marriages.
These magnificent narrative works express the life and the world unique to the Lampungese, with motifs of ships, shrines, human and animal figures.
Resource Note:
A flier and documentary video on CBF missions among the Lampungese are available. Visit the CBF e-Store or call toll-free at (888) 801-4CBF (4223).
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