Idaca in Benin

The Idaca have only been reported in Benin
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Idaca of Benin are located in Zou province of the south-central part of the country. Although Benin is home to about 64 distinct peoples, the Idaca represent a small percentage of the population. They are surrounded by numerous other tribes, all with a similar lifestyle. While most of the groups of the region are highly individualistic, they share many features and aspects of culture with the once predominant Mande people group.

The nation of Benin became independent from the French in 1960, but the seventh coup after independence brought a repressive Marxist regime. However, change is slowly occurring, and the Church in Benin is experiencing significant growth.

The Idaca speak a language called Idaaca, which belongs to the Niger-Congo language family. Very little is known about the Idaca in particular; thus, some assumptions have been made about their lifestyle based on similar groups living in southern Benin.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Like most of the other tribes in Benin, the Idaca are subsistence farmers, growing millet, sorghum, and occasionally fonio (sorghum-like grain) as the staple crops. Depending on the conditions, items such as melons, onions, bananas, cucumbers, eggplant, rice, taro, yams, tobacco, and tomatoes may also be grown. Farming methods are very basic, with the hoe being the primary tool for cultivation. Crops are rotated, and fields are sometimes left fallow.

Hunting, fishing, and gathering (especially of shea nuts) all occur in the area, but provide only a modest supplement to the diet. Of considerably more importance is raising livestock. All the tribes keep at least some cattle, mainly of a hump-less, short-horned variety. Generally, cattle are used for sacrifices, marriage payments, and for hides and manure, but almost never for milk. Other domestic animals, such as sheep, goats, dogs, and chickens, are also sometimes kept.

Trade seems to be highly developed, and regular markets are widespread among the tribes in Benin. Women do most of the market trading as well as the gathering. Hunting is done by the men, and fishing, by both sexes. The men also tend to the livestock, clear the land, and perform the bulk of the agricultural work. The women, however, help in the fields whenever needed.

Most of the Idaca live in neighborhoods of scattered family homesteads, with a few compact villages in different areas. Most of the tribes of the region live in round or rectangular mud or sun-dried brick huts with thatch roofs.

Few of the tribes in the region impose restrictions on premarital sexual relations. Marriages are usually arranged by the heads of two extended families, often while the girl is still an infant. While the various Somba sub-groups do not require a bride-price, they do demand premarital bride-service. Polygyny (having more than one wife) is permitted and occurs frequently. Usually the first wife enjoys a superior status, but the other wives have their own separate quarters. The husband divides his time equally among all his wives.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although some of the Idaca in Benin have accepted Christianity, most still follow their traditional ethnic religion. They believe that there are many gods and that the stars contain supernatural forces. They have an extensive system of cults in which mystical power is explained and controlled. The Idaca also believe that every person has an "inner force" that determines his destiny. After death, this "soul" either goes to the sky with the other mystical powers or is reincarnated. In addition, the dead are thought to influence the living; thus, sacrifices are made to gain their favor.


What Are Their Needs?

Although some progress has been made among the Idaca, many have yet to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel message. Much prayer and further evangelism are needed to teach them the way to eternal life.


Prayer Points

Ask the Lord of the harvest to call full-time missionaries to minister to the Idaca of Benin.
Ask the Lord to soften the hearts of the Idaca towards the Gospel.
Pray that God will give Idaca believers many opportunities to share Christ with their own people.
Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a strong and growing Idaca church for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the Idaca in Benin.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Idaca
People Name in Country Idaca
Alternate Names
Population this Country 197,000
Population all Countries 197,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 2
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 12177
ROP3 Code 103946
Country Benin
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Collines department: Dassa-Zoume and Glazoué communes. West Ouémé river.   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 Collines department: Dassa-Zoume and Glazoué communes. West Ouémé river..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.70 %)
7.00 %
Ethnic Religions
93.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Ede Idaca (197,000 speakers)
Language Code idd   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Idaca
Dialect Code 10782   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Ede Idaca (197,000 speakers)
Language Code idd   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Idaca
Dialect Code 10782   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Ede Idaca

Primary Language:  Ede Idaca

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2019)
Bible-Complete No
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Ede Idaca Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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