Introduction / History The Nao People Group are part of the Gimira cluster which includes the Dizi, the Tsara, the Benesho, the She. They and the Nao and the others in the Gimira cluster, inhabit the extreme southern and southwestern reaches of the densely forested Kaffa highlands of southwestern Ethiopia. They reside in an altitude of 1500-2500 meters which is not easily accessible. As opposed to the Dizi, the Benesho and others who are migrants to the area, the Nao together with the Tsara were the indigenous inhabitants of the land. They speak Nayi language, an Omotic language which has 58% lexical similarity with Diizin. The Nao subsist by farming. They supplement their diet through fishing and also gathering fruits and vegetables. The Nao were strong and numerous people and had their own kingdom before their active colonization by the Kaffa Kingdom in the mid 19th century. They are now reduced to a fewer number through the war and slavery the they were subjected to. The active "Kaffanization" of their culture and language has played a role in their near extinction as a people group. They are followers of ethnic religion.
Prayer Points * Ask the Lord to reach these marginalized and geographically inaccessible people for His glory.
* Pray to the Lord to send laborers to the field. Pray to the Lord to provide evangelistic resources in their language. * Pray for translation of the Bible to begin in this people group's primary language. * Pray for the availability of the Jesus Film in the primary language of this people.
Beni Shangul region, corner formed by Blue Nile River and Sudan border north of Asosa; Dalati, Sirba Abay area east of Dabus River (Source: Ethnologue 2010)
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