WHO are they? The word Waray Waray means nothing. And that is what they have—
nothing. Many earn a meager living as farmers, harvesting architectural products like
coconut, rice, corn, white sugarcane and tobacco. The Waray Waray also have several
traditions that can be traced back to pre-colonial times. For example, the Kuratsa dance
is a popular traditional dance that the Waray-Waray often perform at many social
gatherings, especially weddings. The couple dancing the Kuratsa is showered with
money by the people around them. The belief is that the more money is showered upon
them, the more blessings will come their way.
WHERE do they live? The Waray Waray reside on Eastern Samar and Leyte.
HOW many? There are about 3,375,000 Waray people, and less than 2% of them are
estimated to be evangelical Christians. Some churches have been planted among the
Waray Waray, but there is still a great harvest that has yet to be reaped!
WHAT do they worship? The vast majority of Waray-Waray people are Roman
Catholic. They take their religion very seriously and celebrate many saint-focused
holidays.
PRAYER needs:
• Pray that God would provide for the physical needs of the Waray Waray people.
• Pray that the growing number of church plants among the Waray Waray people
would continue to grow and be strengthened.
• Pray that the evangelical Christians within the Waray Waray people group would
become passionate about evangelizing their own people group.
LEARN more: Watch a video filled with photos of a mission team’s recent work among
the Waray Waray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1cqctSATwg.
