The Welaun people live in the rugged interior of Timor Island, primarily in the western part of the island within East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Their language, Welaun, is part of the Timor–Babar branch of the Austronesian language family and shares linguistic ties with several nearby languages spoken along the border with Timor-Leste.
Historically, the Welaun have lived in small, isolated villages scattered through mountainous terrain, which has allowed them to preserve much of their traditional culture. For generations, they have depended on farming and herding as their primary means of survival. Contact with outsiders was limited until the twentieth century, when roads, schools, and churches gradually reached their remote region.
The Welaun people are primarily subsistence farmers who cultivate maize, cassava, and dry rice on steep hillsides. Water is scarce during the dry season, and many families must walk long distances to collect it. They raise goats, pigs, and chickens for household use and for ceremonial purposes. Houses are made of wood, bamboo, and palm leaves, often arranged in clusters that form extended family compounds. Community life revolves around kinship and cooperation, with elders serving as guardians of tradition and mediators in disputes. Modern influences are slowly increasing through education and trade, but most Welaun villages remain remote and economically limited.
Most Welaun identify as Christians today, the result of mission work that spread across Timor in the past century. Churches are found in many villages, and worship gatherings are a regular part of community life.
However, traditional animistic beliefs still influence their worldview. Many Welaun continue to hold ceremonies to honor ancestors or seek protection from spiritual forces believed to inhabit the land and forests. This blending of Christianity with traditional religion shows that the gospel has reached the people outwardly, but many still lack a deep understanding of biblical faith and the personal relationship with God it offers.
Access to education is limited, with few schools available and many children unable to continue beyond the primary level. Health care is also scarce, as medical workers and facilities are often far from their mountain villages. Spiritually, the Welaun people need Bible teaching and discipleship in their own language so that they can grow in faith and experience transformation grounded in God's Word.
Pray for a strong translation team that can make God's word available in the Welaun language.
Pray that the Welaun people will grow in understanding of God's truth and experience his transforming power in their lives.
Pray that Welaun disciples will make more disciples.
Ask that church leaders receive training and spiritual strength to teach the Scriptures faithfully.
Intercede for unity among believers so that their lives and relationships will reflect the love of Christ to those around them.
Scripture Prayers for the Welaun in Indonesia.
Ethnologue. Welaun Language Profile.
SIL International. Timor Area Linguistic and Cultural Surveys.
Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. Ethnographic Research in East Nusa Tenggara.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
