Project Profile

Ayta NT Cluster | Ayta, Abellen

This language group is participating in the Ayta NT Cluster project.

In recent years, the Aytas’ traditional lifestyle has come into conflict with mainstream Filipino culture. New highways have made it easy for land-hungry outsiders to acquire Ayta homelands. Officials are planning to change the resettled Aytas’ livelihood from their semi-nomadic forest lifestyle to a sedentary existence of raising fish in ponds. Ayta families express opposition and fear about their future, but they feel helpless as they watch the modern world encroach on their way of life.

When missionaries arrive with gifts, medical services or entertainment, a large crowd gathers, creating the illusion that many Ayta are Christians. Most still call on spirit mediums when family members are ill. They appease the forest spirits before planting gardens or building homes. Local churches don’t have the tools they need to reach Ayta hearts.

Mother-tongue Scripture translation can offer them real hope – the One who never changes – in the midst of fear and uncertainty. The Ayta people need to understand God’s love for them in the face of ridicule and discrimination.

News from the Field
  • Jul08

    3 Ayta languages of the Philippines

    In recent decades Protestant groups have concentrated their efforts on evangelizing the 10,200 people of three related languages: Ayta Mag-Indi, Ayta Abelllen and Ayta Ambala. In the meantime, SIL Philippines also started linguistic work among the people, resulting in translated Scripture portions for the Ayta Mag-Indi, among other materials. Moreover, in 2006 the Ayta Abellen Translation Committee published the book of Mark. The Ayta Ambala people still await a single translated verse.

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  • Feb18

    Ayta of the Philippines

    Officials are planning to change the Aytas’ livelihood from their semi-nomadic forest lifestyle to a sedentary existence. Ayta families express opposition and fear about their future, but they feel helpless as they watch the modern world encroach on their way of life. The Ayta sense discrimination from the wider Filipino culture—their skin is darker than that of most Malay peoples and their hair is curly. Education has not generally been highly valued; thus, literacy levels are extremely low.

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