Tasawaq in Niger

The Tasawaq have only been reported in Niger
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Tasawaq people live in rural Niger. Their language is related to that of the more numerous Songhai people.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Tasawaq cultivate date palms in and around the oasis town of Ingal in northwestern Niger. This is their primary occupation and a source of pride to them. Approximately 80 km north of Ingal is another town called Tegidda-n-Tessumt which has salty springs and underground water used by the Tasawaq. Seasonal work requires migration of the Tasawaq between these two important towns. In Tegidda-n-Tessumt they evaporate the salt which they use primarily in their animal feed. Since salt cannot be evaporated during the rainy season, many Tasawaq move back to Ingal during those months when the harvest of dates requires extra hands.

Income to purchase the necessities of life comes through the sale of dates and salt as well as from finely woven and colorfully decorated mats made from palm leaves. For all the nomads in the region, (Tuareg, Arabs, Fulani, and Igdalen) the town of Ingal and its surroundings is a meeting place for the annual "Cure Salee," a type of animal fair, family reunion, and rodeo all rolled into one which usually takes place in August or September. It is an important festival as well as an important part of the economic life of Ingal. The town of Ingal has had a school for over forty years and a high percentage of children in town attend school. The population generally has a positive attitude towards education and is willing to send students elsewhere to pursue higher education with the underlying expectation that they will eventually return to Ingal. The Tasawaq speak the language called Tasawaq which is related to Tabarog and Tagdal.


What Are Their Beliefs?

They follow Islam as their religion. No church or mission is reaching out to the Tasawaq people. They believe the tenants of Islam, but in their daily lives, they depend on the spirit world. These are people who do not have access to Jesus Christ, the one who offers life to the full.


What Are Their Needs?

Pray for Holy Spirit-anointed workers to go to the Tasawaq people of Niger.
Pray for abundant rain as a testimony of God's goodness and power.
Pray for Tasawaq people to become Christ's disciples.
Pray for a movement towards Christ among the Tasawaq people this decade.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Tasawaq in Niger.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Tasawaq
People Name in Country Tasawaq
Alternate Names Ingelshi
Population this Country 23,000
Population all Countries 23,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 15277
ROP3 Code 109866
Country Niger
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 27  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Central Niger, Ingal and Teguidda-n-Tessoumt, near Agadez   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Niger
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 27  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Central Niger, Ingal and Teguidda-n-Tessoumt, near Agadez.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.40 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.60 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Tasawaq (23,000 speakers)
Language Code twq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Tasawaq (23,000 speakers)
Language Code twq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Tasawaq

Primary Language:  Tasawaq

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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