Hausa in Benin


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in West Africa. Thirty percent of all Hausa can be found in the north and northwest regions of Nigeria, an area known as "Hausaland." Hausa communities can also be found in other West African nations such as Chad, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Togo, and Benin.

The Hausa in Benin have been there as far back as 1897. Oral history tells us that the earliest Hausa settlers in Benin came with the Europeans when Benin was conquered. These Hausa people helped the Europeans hunt elephants.

Some have wrongly assumed that Boko Haram comes from the Hausa because the term itself is from the Hausa language. But Boko Haram is mainly from Kanuri and Fulani as well as other tribes.


Where Are they Located?

The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in West Africa. Thirty percent of all Hausa can be found in the north and northwest regions of Nigeria, an area known as "Hausaland." Hausa communities can also be found in other West African nations such as Chad, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Togo, and Benin.

The Hausa in Benin have been there as far back as 1897. Oral history tells us that the earliest Hausa settlers in Benin came with the Europeans when Benin was conquered. These Hausa people helped the Europeans hunt elephants.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Hausa in West Africa have been heavily involved in long distance trading for centuries. Traders exchanged gold from the Middle East for leather, crafts, and food.

There is inter-marriage between the Hausa community and the peoples of Benin. Marriages between the two communities are very common. Today members of the Hausa community are highly trained, educated, and assimilated into the political and social life in Benin. Some of the Hausas have become very rich. They are deeply involved in the politics of their communities.

The Hausa people have a restricted dress code related to their Muslim religious beliefs. The men are easily recognizable because of their elaborate dress which is a large flowing gown known as Babban riga and a robe called a jalabia. These large flowing gowns usually feature some elaborate embroidery designs around the neck. The women can be identified by wrappers called zani, made with colorful cloth atampa, accompanied by a matching blouse, head tie, and shawl.

Hausa buildings are characterized by the use of dry mud bricks in cubic structures, multi-storied buildings for the social elite, the use of parapets related to their military/fortress building past, and traditional white stucco and plaster for house fronts. At times the facades may be decorated with various abstract relief designs, sometimes painted in vivid colors to convey information about the occupant.


Today members of the Hausa community are highly trained, educated and assimilated into the political and social life of many African countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Some of the Hausas have become very rich. They are deeply involved in the politics of their communities.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Hausas hold firmly to their Islamic religion and values. The first mosque in Benin is the central mosque. This is where all early Muslim settlers worshiped. Later the Hausa community built their own mosque. The mosque is still there and was built about 50 years ago. That is where the Hausa Muslim community goes to pray on Fridays.


What Are Their Needs?

Adequate Christian resources are available in the Hausa language; but they are still an unreached Muslim people group. The Hausa people need to see their critical need for the Savior, who loves them and desires a personal relationship with them. They need to see past their worldly success, and see that they will not be accepted by the Creator of the universe except through His Son, Jesus


Prayer Points

Pray that the Holy Spirit will allow circumstances into the lives of these people that will point to their sinfulness, their need for the Savior.
Pray that they will see that their Islamic religion is not working.


Scripture Prayers for the Hausa in Benin.


References

Profiles written by Karen Hightower of Global Prayer Digest
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12070/NI
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/sunday/index.php/feature/2875-the-100-year-old-story-of-hausa-community-in-benin-city
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hausa_people
http://www.nairaland.com/842223/mosque-burnt-hausa-quarters-benin
http://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/groupdetails.aspx?peid=12327


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Hausa
People Name in Country Hausa
Pronunciation HOW-sah
Alternate Names Adarawa; Adarawa Hausa; Arawa; Arewa; Fellata; Hausa Ajami; Hausa Fulani; Hausawa; Kurfei; Maguzawa; North Hausa; Soudie; Tazarawa
Population this Country 1,227,000
Population all Countries 55,414,000
Total Countries 16
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 25
People ID 12070
ROP3 Code 103733
ROP25 Code 303001
ROP25 Name Hausa
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread in north, Atakora, Alibori Donga, and Borgou departments, mainly in larger towns, market villages.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread in north, Atakora, Alibori Donga, and Borgou departments, mainly in larger towns, market villages..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Religion Subdivision: Sunni
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.05 %)
0.10 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.90 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Hausa
Language Code hau   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Hausa
Language Code hau   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Hausa

Primary Language:  Hausa

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1857-1988)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1880-1965)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1932-2020)
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YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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Amazon
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Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
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Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Hausa Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Erik Laursen, New Covenant Missions 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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