seit-kaitetu

who are the Seit-Keitetu?

The Seit-Kaitetu live on the north coast of the island of Ambon in the adjacent villages of Seit and Kaitetu in the district of Leihitu, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province. The provinces of North Maluku and Maluku were created from the province of Maluku in 1999. The villages of Seit and Kaitetu have electricity and can be reached by road. Transportation to the Seit-Kaitetu area is available both by land and by sea. General transportation is available several times a day to the city of Ambon.The Maluku Islands, historically called the Spice Islands, are a string of over one thousand islands scattered over the eastern portion of Indonesia. They include most of the islands between Sulawesi and New Guinea and between Timor and the Philippines.Two dialects are spoken, Seit and Kaitetu. The village of Kaitetu is the site of the oldest mesjid (mosque) on Ambon, built in 1414. The neighboring village of Hila was the site of the oldest church on Ambon, built in 1780. Unfortunately, recent ethnic, social and religious conflict resulted in the destruction of the church.

What are their lives like?

The socio-cultural and economic life of the Seit-Kaitetu is very similar to villages around them, generally well ordered and well regulated. The Seit-Kaitetu people derive their income primarily from farming and fishing. Crops include sago, clove, nutmeg, and coffee. Before going to sea, the fishermen will first pray to God for blessings and protection. The fish they catch are used for daily needs, and the excess is sold. Some of the fish most commonly caught include cakalang, tangiri, momar, silapa, lalosi, and kawalinya. From the villages of Luhu, Iha-Kulur, and Asilulu, the catch is primarily sold to Hitu and Ambon.To supplement their income, the Seit-Kaitetu sometimes obtain and shape animal materials such as eggshells or clamshells to make brooches, outfits, and women's jewelry. They also are used to make wall decorations and souvenirs of various sizes and shapes.

What do they believe?

Most Seit-Kaitetu adhere to Islam. As followers of Islam, they believe they will be judged based on their good deeds and their knowledge of the Qur'an (Islamic Holy Book). However, many Seit-Kaitetu are still very much afraid to break with traditional practices and animistic beliefs. They mix traditional cultural practices and Islamic teachings in many of their events, such as weddings, circumcisions, the inauguration of a king, and the building of mosques (mesjid).

What are their needs?

In recent years, outside provocateurs have sparked a deadly cycle of violence and revenge between the various ethnic groups on Ambon. The fighting in the region has shattered the region's many infrastructures, such as schools, homes, markets and places of worship. Education has been severely curtailed, with buildings damaged and burned, teachers afraid to teach, and parents afraid to send their children to school. Peace, order, and restoration of the shattered island are desperately needed, and institutions must be rebuilt.

source:www.joshuaproject.net