The Sobei (also spelled Sobey; sometimes referenced historically as Biga in regional listings) are an Austronesian-speaking people of the north-coast region of Papua (Sarmi Regency), Indonesia. Their traditional homeland includes several coastal and riverine villages east of the town of Sarmi. Linguists classify Sobei as one of the Sarmi–Jayapura (Sarmi) languages within the Western Oceanic branch, and the language has been described in grammatical and phonological fieldwork since the 1970s.
Sobei communities are centered in small coastal and river villages where daily life revolves around fishing, sago and root-crop cultivation, small-scale garden plots and local exchange. Canoe travel, coastal resources and kin-based village organization shape economic and social life, while Bahasa Indonesia and regional market contacts increasingly influence schooling, youth migration, and livelihood choices.
Traditional practices and clan ties remain important locally, but language use and customary life have been affected by schooling, mission contact and broader regional change.
The Sarmi coastal region has strong Christian influence, and most Sobei identify with Christianity (predominantly Protestant forms) while retaining some customary observances and local moral norms. Churches serve as social hubs providing spiritual formation and, in many cases, educational or community services. Local expression of faith often reflects blending of Christian teaching with customary cultural practices. Audio evangelistic programs exist for Sarmi/Sobei use, indicating active outreach efforts in their language context.
The Sobei people need Scripture and discipleship materials presented in the Sobei language so that both new and maturing believers can worship and understand the Bible in their heart language. The Sobei need training and resourcing for indigenous church leaders so that local congregations become self-sustaining and able to disciple new generations.
The Sobei need language maintenance and literacy support so that their language and oral traditions are preserved alongside formal education in Bahasa Indonesia. The Sobei need holistic community development that respects coastal and riverine livelihoods, including appropriate education, health access and livelihood support that fit their ecological and cultural context.
Pray that God would provide Sobei believers with Scripture, teaching and worship materials in the Sobei language so that the gospel takes root in heart-language understanding.
Pray for the raising up and training of indigenous Sobei pastors and teachers who will shepherd their people with God's wisdom and biblical faithfulness.
Pray that young Sobei would retain their language and cultural identity even as they gain education and contact with wider Indonesian society, and that the church would strengthen rather than erode local identity.
Pray for ministries that integrate spiritual and practical care—health, education and livelihoods—so that churches can demonstrate the gospel's power to transform whole communities.
Please pray that Sobei Christians would wholeheartedly embrace the great commission and would preach the gospel and make disciples of their people and the world around them.
Scripture Prayers for the Sobei, Biga in Indonesia.
Wikipedia — Sobei language (classification, villages, linguistic background).
SIL / Phonology study — Sterner, J.K., Sobei Phonology (field notes/analysis, 1975).
SIL / Language materials — A comprehensive look at Sobei phrases (language resources and descriptive material).
Global Recordings Network — Words of Life (Sarmi/Sobei use) (audio evangelistic programs available for Sarmi/Sobei).
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
