The Taikat people (also known by alternate names such as Daiget, Daikat, Abrab/Abrap, or Arso) are a small indigenous community residing in the Arso and Arso Barat districts of Keerom Regency, Papua Province, Indonesia.
Their language, referred to as Taikat belongs to the Border language family (specifically the Upper Tami branch) and is classified as endangered since younger generations are increasingly shifting to other languages. The Taikat language is native to a remote region near the Indonesian–Papua?New Guinea border, and the community has historically lived in scattered villages in rainforest terrain, maintaining a subsistence lifestyle shaped by dense forest and river-valley surroundings.
Given their small numbers and remote location, the Taikat have maintained an isolated existence, with limited infrastructure, formal documentation, or integration into broader Indonesian society.
The day-to-day lives of the Taikat people center upon forest-edge and river-valley villages in Keerom Regency, where they cultivate small gardens, gather wild foods, hunt, and fish to satisfy most of their food needs. Thick forest, rivers, and minimal access to larger markets or urban centres shape their subsistence livelihood. The language's endangered status suggests that younger Taikat are shifting to more dominant languages—likely Indonesian or local Papuan Malay—to attend school or participate in broader society, which places pressure on the intergenerational transmission of their language and customs. Infrastructure such as roads, health services, and formal schooling run late or are limited in their area. That means life remains relatively traditional but subject to increasing external influence through migration, logging, or regional development. Taikat villages are likely to have houses built from local materials, use local river or rainwater sources, and rely on communal networks of kinship and forest knowledge to sustain social life.
While there is no published, detailed study specific to the Taikat people's religious beliefs, the broader context of Papua Province suggests a mix of Christian faith (particularly Protestant) and indigenous animist or customary spirituality. For example, within the region, many indigenous communities have adopted Christianity but retain local beliefs about ancestor spirits, land spirits, and nature-connected ritual.
About two-thirds are Christian, but they also maintain practices linked to forest and river realms. This combination means that while Christian worship services may exist, many local beliefs and practices remain embedded in daily life and world-views among the Taikat people.
Preservation of the Taikat language and culture is critical because, as younger people shift to dominant languages, their ancestral identity and oral traditions face erosion. Access to livelihood options that respect forest-based living and provide economic resilience—such as value-added forest products, sustainable fishing, or ecotourism—would help the Taikat maintain a meaningful economic basis while sustaining their environment.
Educational opportunities and resources in their native language would help youth remain connected to their culture while acquiring skills needed in modern Indonesian society. Improvement in infrastructure and access to healthcare and clean water would strengthen the resilience of their remote villages and reduce vulnerabilities.
Finally, high-quality Christian discipleship resources, Scripture translation in Taikat, and the development of indigenous Taikat Christian leaders would help deepen authentic faith in Christ rooted in their own language and cultural context.
Pray for the gospel to take deep root among the Taikat people, that indigenous Taikat believers would arise, Scripture and discipleship would be available in Taikat, and that churches would be culturally-grounded.
Pray that soon Taikat churches will experience revival, leading to deep discipleship.
Pray that sustainable livelihood pathways consistent with the Taikat heritage of forest and river-life would emerge, providing hope and stability for families in their remote villages.
Pray for education and infrastructure improvements in Taikat communities, that youth might be equipped for the future without abandoning their identity.
Scripture Prayers for the Taikat in Indonesia.
Taikat language (Arso). Wikipedia / Ethnologue summary.
"Suku Taikat (Daiget, Daikat) – Ensiklopedia Dunia." Universities STEKOM article.
"Wordlist Taikat" (ASJP database).
"Western New Guinea explained – religion profile." EverythingExplainedToday.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
