Introduction / History

The Tsakwambo are also known as the Kotogut, Tsokwambo, or Tsaukwambo people. They prefer to be called Kotogut. The Tsakwambo have regular contact with the Komyandaret people and the Kombai people. With family the Kotogut people usually use their own language. With friends they use either Tsaukambo or Indonesian.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kotogut people maintain their livelihood by food-gathering, hunting, fishing, and logging in their isolated lowlands. With their land at an altitude of less than 100 meters above sea level, the Kotogut people can best be reached by boat up the Digul and Arup rivers. By motorized canoe, it is a 3-hour trip from Kouh to Tsakwambo land, or Merpati flies into Tanah Merah, which is somewhat close.
The Kotogut people have sagoworm feasts for some visitors and festivities often include dressing up in traditional clothing (with dog teeth, bird feathers, etc). The Tsakwambo people often intermarry with the "Taret" people of Danokit village.
Most Kotogut people wear modern clothing but rarely washed the clothing. The people eat sago, sagoworms, vegetables and fruits, as well as animals they hunt. The Kotogut have machetes, steel axes, and bow and arrows that they regularly use. Houses are generally framed with log posts having palm or cement floors and plank or stem walls. A tin or leaf roof completes the house.

What Are Their Beliefs?

It is estimated that less than half of the Kotogut people have understood the gospel but there is at least 1 Reformed church in the area. About two-thirds of them identify as Christian.

What Are Their Needs?

There are no SSB radios, telephones, or electric facilities in the area but there is a community TV. A health clinic is in Biwage but many of the Kotogut people have skin and lung diseases, and malaria. Some also have elephantiasis. The nearest market is a long distance away in Kouh.

Prayer Items

Pray for hundreds to be raised up with an unwavering faith in Christ, one that will not be shaken, no matter what comes their way.
Pray for God to bring about his purpose for the Kotogut people.
Pray for Christians to have love, joy, peace, and patience as they tell others about the King of kings.
Pray for a mighty Holy Spirit revival to permeate their families and churches, drawing them into greater love for God and for their neighbors.

Scripture Prayers for the Kotogut in Indonesia.

References

GMI Papua