Papua New Guinea

Of all the world’s nations, Papua New Guinea remains the single most complex country, both ethnically and linguistically. Approximately 1000 tribes speak more than 860 mutually unintelligible languages.

Statistics:

• Population (in 2001) = 5,049,055
  


• Area = 463,000 sq. km – A little smaller than the combined area of California and West Virginia.
  


• Capital = Port Moresby
  


• Official language = English
  


• Other major language = Melanesian Pidgin (Neo-Melanesian)
  


• Total languages = 862

• Politics: Papua New Guinea became an independent state within the British Commonwealth in 1975. The nation is governed by a democratic parliamentary system and administered on a decentralized basis by 20 provincial governments.

Papua New Guinea’s Religions

• 96% of the population claims to be Christian, but most Catholics and many Protestants are highly syncretistic in their beliefs, mixing animistic spiritism with Christianity. Praising God on Sundays while visiting shamans during the week is a common practice.


• 60-70% of all Papua New Guineans still practice animism.


• There is freedom of religion in PNG. There are many Christians in government and the whole country is increasingly permeated with Christian values. However, local nationalists and humanist anthropologists are exerting pressures to limit the activities of churches and missions.


• Over the past 120 years, the gospel has spread throughout many regions of Papua New Guinea, first along the coast and then into the highlands. The ready acceptance of the gospel has resulted in a nominal and superficial Christianity of the majority without a radical transformation of basic values and beliefs. In some areas there is already disillusionment and a turning back to traditional customs.


• Discipleship and leadership training are urgently needed.