Prototype rebuild by the IMB Innovation Team. The official site is peoplegroups.org.

People group profile · PG047130

The Awyu Central of Indonesia

The Awyu Central of Indonesia, numbering about 8,700 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are a people of Indonesia (Papua), Mappi and Boven Digul Regencies; Obaa, Citak Mitak, Mandobo and Bimikia subdistricts.

They are an indigenous people in the New Guinea people cluster of the Pacific Islander Peoples. Their primary religion is Protestantism, and they primarily speak Central Awyu.

Pray for the Awyu CentralPrint profile

AI-generated illustration representing the Awyu Central people
AI-generated illustration, not a photograph. Photo by Google. (2026). Image generated by Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite: Awyu Central

Fast facts

Country
Indonesia
Population
8,700
Affinity group
Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
People cluster
New Guinea
Primary language
Central Awyu (awu)
Primary religion
Protestantism
Strategic Progress Index ?
No Longer Unreached
Evangelical
10% or Greater but Less than 15%
GSEC ?
10% or Greater Evangelical
Lostness priority ?
Moderately Reached People Group
Region
South-Eastern Asia, Asia
Location
Papua province: Mappi and Boven Digul regencies, Bimika, Citak Mitak, Mandobo, and Obaa sub-districts; south coast inland

Where they live

Gospel status

The Awyu Central are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 10% evangelical.

  • Congregations exist Yes
  • Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted

Next steps for the Awyu Central

  • Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
  • Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
  • Send out laborers from this people to the nations

Primary religion

Protestantism · Christianity

Primary language

Central Awyu · Nuclear Trans New Guinea family

100% speak Central Awyu

Gospel resources in Central Awyu

  • Bible available, published -
  • JESUS Film not available
  • Radio programs not available
  • Gospel recordings available
  • Audio resources available
  • Bible stories not available

Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.

Pray for the Awyu Central

  1. Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
  2. Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
  3. 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
  4. Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.

Download a prayer guide

Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.