Somali in Somalia


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Several million Somalis live scattered across eight countries in the northeastern portion of Africa, commonly called the "Horn of Africa," and in the Middle East.

The Somali share a common language, adhere to a single faith, and share a cultural heritage that is an integral part of their nomadic lifestyle. Their name is derived from the words, "so maal," which literally mean, "Go milk a beast for yourself!" To the Somali, this is actually a rough expression of hospitality.

The Somali first appeared in the Horn of Africa around 1200 and began expanding westward and southward about 150 years later. They converted to Islam around 1550, under the influence of Arab traders that had settled along the coast of present-day Somalia. By 1650, they had moved into Ethiopia.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Somali society is based on the nuclear family, consisting of a husband, wife, and children. A typical family owns a herd of sheep or goats, which the women and girls care for, and a few burden camels. Some may also own a herd of milking camels. The more camels a man has, the greater his prestige. The men and boys enjoy taking care of the prized camels.

The Somali consider themselves warriors. Sometimes the men leave the women in charge of the herds, so that they might train to become more effective fighters. They are a very individualistic people, sharply divided by clans. Fights often occur between the clans, resulting in many deaths.

There are four major Somali clan groups. The two largest are the Somaal and the Sab. The Somaal are primarily nomadic shepherds. The Sab usually settle in communities and live as farmers or craftsmen.

The nomads live in portable huts made of wooden branches covered with grass mats. The wife has her own hut, and the huts of related families are arranged in a circle with cattle pens in the middle. Making the home is the woman's responsibility. The huts are easily collapsible so that they can be loaded on pack animals and moved along with the herds. There is usually less than four inches of rainfall a year, so many times a Somali's life is dictated by his ability to find water. The nomad's diet used to consist only of milk and milk products. Now it includes maize meal, rice, meat, and wild fruits. The more settled Somali farmers live in permanent, round huts that are six to nine feet high. They have a more varied diet, which includes maize, sorghum, cowpeas, beans, rice, eggs, poultry, bananas, dates, mangoes, and tea.

Having an abundant supply of food is a status symbol among the clans. Each family periodically holds banquets for their relatives and friends. A family's prestige is determined by the frequency of its feasts, the number of people invited, and the quality and quantity of food served.

Somali's enjoy telling stories and learning history through their poetry. Many times they will chant folk tales on walks in the evening.

Most Somali wear brightly colored cloths draped over their bodies like togas. Some men also wear a kilt-like skirt.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Although Somalis are nearly all Shafiite Muslims, numerous beliefs and traditions have been intermingled with their Islamic practices. The standard Islamic prayers are usually observed; however, Somali women have never worn the required veils. Somali frequently turn to the wadaad (a religious expert) for blessings, charms and advice in worldly matters.


What Are Their Needs?

Very few Somali children attend school, and over half of the adults are illiterate. This is not surprising since they did not have a written script until 1972.

Access to modern health services is very limited in Ethiopia. Droughts, famines, and wars have created numerous problems. Malnutrition alone has accounted for the death of thousands of Somali since the 1970s.


Prayer Points

Pray that many Somali's would come to know Jesus Christ, who is the Bread of Life.
Pray for Somali Christians, who are greatly despised by their people.
Ask God to touch the hearts of Christians in northern Ethiopia so that they would be willing to share God's love with the Somali's in the southern provinces.
Ask the Lord to raise up Christian teachers who will work among the Somali and share Christ's love with them.
Pray that God will raise up prayer teams to go and break up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask God to grant favor and wisdom to missions agencies focusing on the Somali.
Pray for effectiveness of the Jesus film among them.
Ask God to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio and television to the Somali.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Somali.


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Somalia.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 14,213,000
Population all Countries 26,949,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 284
PeopleID3 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
Country Somalia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 2  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Somalia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 2  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.94 %)
1.11 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
98.89 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Somali (14,213,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Northern Somali
Dialect Code 16821   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (14,213,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Northern Somali
Dialect Code 16821   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Somali

Primary Language:  Somali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1915-1935)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1972-1976)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1979-2008)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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 Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Somali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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 Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth 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
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
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
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  MarosMatousek - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center / GAAPNet 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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