The nearly 10,000 Limboto live primarily on the southern coast of the northern peninsula of Sulawesi. They are closely related to and often grouped with the Gorontalo, who are one of three major people groups located in northern Sulawesi. Formerly mountain dwellers, the Gorontalo now live in scattered villages on the plain or coastal strip of the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, between the Mongondow and the Tolitoli peoples.

What are their lives like?
The staple crops of the Limboto include rice, maize, and sago (a type of palm, the starch of which is used for food). Yams and millet are secondary crops, and coconuts are grown commercially. They also gather and sell rattan (palms, the stems of which are used to make wickerwork, canes, and furniture) and damar (tree resin used in varnishes and lacquers). Cattle are used for pulling items, but horses are used for carrying items and for riding. Nets, traps, and harpoons are used for fishing in the lakes.

Limboto descent is patrilineal (traced through the males), and related families generally live in the same vicinity. Marriages follow the Muslim pattern and are usually arranged by a mediator. This "go- between" also negotiates the bride-price, the amount depending on the girl's social status. Marriages to cousins are preferred. After marriage, the couple usually lives with the bride's mother until the first child is born. At that time, the couple establishes their own household. Each spouse owns property separately. Only property that is obtained after marriage is held jointly.

Since Indonesian is the national language, all children are educated in that language. However, most of the rural Limboto population, especially the women, speak only their native Limboto tongue.

Indonesia has more than eight million farmers who do not own land. To provide a livelihood for these and to open remote areas to development, the government offers free land, housing, and other assistance to those willing to move to less developed islands.

Although many of their neighbors have converted to Christianity, the Gorontalo and related groups, such as the Limboto, have remained devoted Muslims. Many barriers of prejudice seem to exist between the two groups. There are no indigenous Limboto churches, and local Christians are afraid to reach out to the Muslims for fear of persecution.

What are their beliefs?
Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia today and is practiced by a majority of the population. Before the fourteenth century, Hinduism was widespread in the area but is now practiced by only a small number of people. About 14% of the population is Christian, primarily Protestant; and many Chinese follow Buddhist-Taoist teachings. Animistic religions (belief that non-human objects have spirits) are followed by tribes in remote areas.

In Indonesia, all are free to follow Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, or Christianity, However, the numerical and political strength of Islam is frequently exercised to give it preferential treatment, limit Christian expansion, and reduce Christian influence in public life.

Virtually all the Limboto are Muslims, although many of their "life cycle" rituals and religious beliefs are a mixture of Islamic and pre-Islamic beliefs. There are no known Christians among them.

What are their needs?
The Limboto do not have any Christian resources in their own language, and there are no missions agencies currently targeting them. Fervent intercession and missionary endeavors are required to see the Limboto reached with the Gospel.

Prayer Points

• Ask the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers to work among the Limboto of Indonesia.
• Pray that the Bible and the Jesus film will soon be available in the Limboto language.
• Pray that God will reveal Himself to the Limboto through dreams and visions.
• Ask the Lord to save key leaders among the Limboto who will boldly declare the Gospel.
• Pray that God will soften the hearts of the Limboto towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
• Take authority over the spiritual principalities and powers that are keeping the Limboto bound.
• Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the spiritual soil through worship and intercession.
• Pray that strong local churches will be raised up among the Limboto by the year 2000.

THE PEOPLE

• People name: Limboto
• Country: Indonesia
• Their language: Limboto
• Population: (1990) 9,100
  (1995) 9,900
  (2000) 10,600
• Largest religion: Muslim (Sunni) 99.9%
• Christian: 0%
• Church members: 0
• Scriptures in their own language: None
• Jesus Film in their own language: None
• Christian broadcasts in their own language: None
• Mission agencies working among this people: 0
• Persons who have heard the Gospel: 1,500 (15%) Those evangelized by local Christians: 400 (4%)
  Those evangelized from the outside: 1,100 (11%)
• Persons who have never heard the Gospel: 8,400 (85%)

• Country: Indonesia
• Population: (1990) 182,811,600
  (1995) 197,587,700
  (2000) 212,730,600
• Major peoples in size order: Javanese 26.2%
  Javanese Indonesian 10.7%
  Sudanese 10.6%
  Madurese 5.7%
  Sudanese Indonesian 3.1%
• Major religions: Muslim 43.7%
  New religionist 35%
  Christian 13%
• Number of denominations: 113