Profile Year: 2008 People and Language Detail Profile Language Name: Nekeo ISO Language Code: nej Primary Religion: Christianity Disciples (Matt 28:19): 15% Churches: 2 _ Scripture Status (Matt 28:20): No Population (date): 638 (2000) The Neko of Papua New Guinea The Neko people live in three inland villages and a coastal village located on the Rai Coast of Papua New Guinea, in the eastern part of Madang Province. The Neko people live in a tropical rainforest. One village is on the coast and the others are in a mountainous area farther inland. Their diet consists primarily of sweet potatoes, taro, greens and fish. Houses are made with black palm floors and woven bamboo walls. Roofs are thatched with dried sago palm leaves. Houses are set on posts 2-3 meters above the ground. Most Neko people wear western-style clothing, but many women wear a long piece of cloth tied around their waist for a skirt. The first church in the Neko area was a Christian Revival Church (CRC) founded in 1982 by a man from Karkar Island, a volcanic island off the northeast coast of Papua New Guinea. About a year later, another Papua New Guinean started a Lutheran church in the Neko area. The Neko people do not have the Bible in their mother tongue. During church services the Bible is read in Tok Pisin, the language of wider communication.
The Neko of Papua New Guinea Have They Heard The Gospel? Number of Pastors 1 Call Themselves Christian 15% This is the percent of church adherents out of two villages. Believe In Jesus As God And Only Savior Believe In The Local Traditional Religion Have Not Heard Who Jesus is 0% Attitude to Christianity Attitude to Religious Change Number Of Pastors 4 Number Communities 4 Although no numbers were given, church leaders reported that there were many nominal Christians. Although no numbers were given, it was reported that some people still use traditional magic. Somewhat receptive Somewhat receptive Number Of Churches 2 Two villages were not surveyed, and there may be more churches in those villages. History of Christianity Year Began 1982 By Whom Bob Turrey Bob Turrey started the CRC church. A Lutheran church was started one year later. Is The Word Of God Translated? Forms Of Gospel Presentation Available No The Bible is available in Tok Pisin (the language of wider communication) and in English.
Group Description Geography & Environment Literacy Adult Literacy Attitude Adult Literacy Percentage 64% Percent Literate for Men 71% Percent Literate for Women 57% Active Literacy Program Economics Subsistence Type Occupation Income sources Trade Partners Community Development Health Care Diet Water The Neko people live in a tropical rainforest. One village is on the coast and the others are in a mountainous area farther inland. Very receptive Yes Literacy is taught in the elementary schools. Hunters and gathers They also fish. Subsistence Selling cocoa, peanuts, betelnut, daka (a kind of pepper eaten with betelnut) and tobacco Since there are both coastal and inland villages in the Neko area, Neko villages often trade among themselves. Warai, the coastal village, supplies the inland villages with fish and dry coconuts in exchange for betelnut and tobacco. Fair There are aide posts in Lamtub (Migum language area, west of Neko) and Reite (Nekgini language area, southwest of Neko). Most people reported that the aide posts are usually open and well-stocked. For more serious health concerns, people go to the Lutheran health centre in Biliau. It takes about three hours to walk to Biliau from the Neko language area. Good Neko people have a balanced diet of fish, sweet potatoes, taro and greens. Fair Some Neko villages have an easily accessible source of clean water, but one village's water supply was very difficult to access.
Shelter Description Energy/Fuel Clothing Transportation Infant Mortality Rate 5% Life Expectancy 66 Community Development Society & Culture Neighbor Relations Authority / Rule Neko homes are made with woven bamboo walls and black palm floors. Roofs are thatched with dried sago palm leaves. Houses are set on posts 2-3 meters above the ground. Good There is plenty of wood available for fire. Most people wear second hand western-style. Women wear a large piece of cloth tied around their waist for a skirt. Walking The infant mortality rate and life expectancy are national averages. The rates in Migum are probably higher and lower respectively. The Neko people have a fairly neutral attitude towards their neighbors. The Neko people recognize the leadership of church leaders, clan leaders and government representatives. Social Habits/Groupings The Neko people generally live in villages of less than 300 people. Cultural Change Pace Identification With National Culture Self Image Recreations Attitude to Outsiders Attitude to Change Medium. Similar Neutral Playing volleyball, chewing betelnut Somewhat receptive The survey team was welcomed with traditional singing and dancing. Indifferent Education Primary Schools 2 There are two elementary schools. Primary School Enrollment 77
Total Number of Teachers 5 Language Of Instruction Early Years Language Of Textbook Early Years Number of Schools More than 90% Homogenous 1 Neko, Tok Pisin and some English English and Tok Pisin.
Status of Christianity Religion Population Percentage Religion 1 Church Growth Lay Leaders 1 Bible Schools 0 Ethnic religions Many people still practice traditional magic Christian Hospitals/Clinics 1 There is a Lutheran health centre in Biliau, east of Neko. It takes about three hours to walk from Neko to Biliau. Missions and Churches Organization 1 Country of Origin Main Ministry Year Started 1982 Number of Adherents 20 Number of Congregations 1 Language Used by Local Workers Organization 2 Country of Origin Main Ministry Warai Christian Revival Church Papua New Guinea Church planting Tok Pisin Year Started 1983 Number of Adherents 20 Number of Congregations 1 Number of National Workers 1 Language Used by Other Workers A man from Migum started the Lutheran church in the Migum area. Papua New Guinea Church planting Tok Pisin.