The Jambi Malay peoples of Indonesia

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Population: approximately 800,000

The majority of the Jambi Malay live in the sparsely inhabited province of Jambi on the central eastern part of Sumatra, Indonesia.

This province comprises a lowland basin of dense jungles and swamps linked to the Batang Hari River and its tributaries. Many Jambi Malay seek their livelihood from work related to these rivers. One of their main economic activities is fishing; with traditional equipment, they catch a variety of fish. As many as 60% of Jambi people work as farmers, though only 30% of the province’s income is provided by agriculture. Other major products from the area include timber, plywood, rubber, palm oil, copra, coffee, and tea.

Few Jambi Malay have received higher education. Most seem satisfied with their lifestyle or else believe that little can be done to change it significantly. The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, but many Jambi Malay speak a dialect of Malay known as Bahasa Jambi in their homes and villages.

Fanaticism

The Jambi Malay are Muslim, known for their Islamic fanaticism. Islam was established as a religion in Jambi in the 16th century when Arab traders arrived on the island. Today, every village and nearly every “kampung” (close-knit neighborhood) and Rukun Tetangga (neighborhood unit) has a building for worship and a training place for the practice and teaching of Islam, complete with at least one “ulama” (Islamic teacher and Islamic law expert).

The Jambi Malay take great pride in their villages being completely Muslim, where people practice folk Islam much more than those in the cities. Just as each village neighborhood has an RT (elected leader of the Rukun Tetangga), they usually also have a “dukun” (traditional healer). The dukun intercedes on behalf of his patient/devotee with pleas to Allah or the spirits for healing. Religious leaders of the “masjid” (mosque) provide mothers with amulets for their young children to protect them from evil spirits.

Jambi Batik

Some aspects of Jambi culture surround a rich, beautiful fabric called Jambi batik (bah-teek). Within the village, many skilled women join together to make batik cloth. An intricate, colorful design is applied to fabric by a lengthy process using wax to make the pattern and dyes made from plants and berries. Many women wear batik sarongs and use the fabric to carry their babies with them as they go about their tasks. Exceptionally good batik is also prepared for wedding parties.

Prayer guide for the Jambi Malay of Indonesia:

* Pray for long-term Christian laborers to work among the Jambi Malay people.

* Pray for the love of Jesus Christ to penetrate the walls built up against the gospel, so that the people of Jambi may find their identity and freedom in being children of God.

* Pray for the Jambi Malay who have accepted the gospel, that they would become strong and courageous witnesses to their own people, resulting in a culturally-adapted Jambi Church.