Between the sands of the Sahara and the shores of Lake Chad live the Kanembu. For over a thousand years the Kanem-Bornu Empire exerted its influence over central North Africa. Its influence covered eastern Nigeria and Niger, the northern half of Chad and Libya. It traded with Egypt and sponsored Islamic schools as far away as Alexandria. Its camel caravans reached the Muslim holy cities in the Arabian Peninsula. Until the beginning of the 1900s and the French conquest of this area, this empire was the major power in the heart of the north central Africa. Today the Kanembu people are one group of the descendants of this great empire, and their sultans and traditional rules are still more influential than government authorities. They are Chad's merchant tribe, with 75-80% of all merchants in Chad coming from this group, making them one of Chad's wealthiest groups.
Their sultans and traditional rulers are still more influential than government authorities. They live in mud brick houses, with their culture and clothing much the same as in ancient times. Their lifestyle has changed very little through the centuries, except they now have water pumps, vehicles, sewing machines and other modern conveniences. The younger generation is moving to cities in hopes of finding better jobs.
For centuries they have been Muslim, but traditional African beliefs are mixed with Islam. The Kanembu depend on spiritism to meet daily problems.
There may be a very few followers of Jesus among the Kanembu, but even that is doubtful.
Pray for Christians in other tribes to take the message of Christ to the Kanembu people.
Pray for those believers the Lord will soon call to himself from this tribe. Pray they will live holy lives and will learn to live in the power of God's Spirit. Pray this ancient tribe will be privileged to hear accurately who Jesus truly is, the Son of God, the only way to the Father.
Scripture Prayers for the Kanembu in Nigeria.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Kanembu |
People Name in Country | Kanembu |
Pronunciation |
kuh-NEM-boo
|
Alternate Names | Kanembou; Karkawu; Kenembu |
Population this Country | 2,300 |
Population all Countries | 1,000,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 12489 |
ROP3 Code | 104570 |
ROP25 Code | 303643 |
ROP25 Name | Kanembu |
Country | Nigeria | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
National Bible Society | Website | ||
Persecution Rank | 6 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Nigeria |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 6 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Kanembu (2,300 speakers) |
Language Code | kbl Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Nguri |
Dialect Code | 11508 Global Recordings Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Kanembu (2,300 speakers) |
Language Code | kbl Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Nguri |
Dialect Code | 11508 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Kanembu |
Primary Language: Kanembu
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2001) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Film / Video | Jesus Film | Jesus Film Project |
General | Scripture Earth Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | James Lane |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |