Tharaka in Kenya

The Tharaka have only been reported in Kenya
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The large Tharaka community occupies the low plains between the slopes of Mount Kenya in the west and the upper Tana River in the east. Their history of immigration dates back to the spread of the Bantu people from southern Africa. About one-tenth live in towns, the rest in villages. Village life is considered the superior lifestyle as it preserves their tradition and culture.

They are farmers, keeping cows, goats and sheep and growing cereal crops, cotton, and sun flowers. They trade with people all over the nation and the economy has developed quickly in recent years.

A sense of belonging is an important aspect of life among the Tharaka people. The most respected person is a "mukuru" (elder), who gives advice and settles disputes in the community. A man has to go through several stages in life and education before reaching this highest state.

Marriage brings the woman's family into close relation with the man's and involves a high bride price paid by the husband's father to the wife's father. During the ceremony itself there is a lot of celebrating and beer drinking. Other celebrations take place during circumcision ceremonies, on the birth of a child and in the harvests of June and January.

The first preaching of the Gospel was very opposed, but when one of their own people responded many more were encouraged by example to do the same. Christianity has spread rapidly since the arrival of the Pentecostals in 1960 and after Independence when mission schools were allowed to open. An estimated one-fifth are active Christians, but 70% have changed from traditional religion and believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

The current needs in Tharaka are for better roads and communication, better health care, provision for famine and drought relief and education. The translation of the Bible into Tharaka is also very important as 40% of the population speak only Tharaka.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Tharaka in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Tharaka
People Name in Country Tharaka
Alternate Names
Population this Country 235,000
Population all Countries 235,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 15463
ROP3 Code 110009
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Embu, Meru, and Tharaka-Nithi counties.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Embu, Meru, and Tharaka-Nithi counties..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 22.00 %)
43.00 %
Ethnic Religions
57.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kitharaka (235,000 speakers)
Language Code thk   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Tharaka
Dialect Code 20666   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kitharaka (235,000 speakers)
Language Code thk   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Tharaka
Dialect Code 20666   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kitharaka
Photo Source Lauren Ramsey 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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