The Arab conquests of the seventh century brought about a rapid expansion of the Bedouin tribes. At that time, thousands of Bedouins left the Middle East and began spreading across North Africa. They have adapted well to the nomadic or semi-nomadic way of life in the desert. The name "Bedouin" is derived from the Arab word bedu. It is a term used to differentiate between those groups who migrate with their herds and those which have settled in an urban or agricultural area. Although distinct, both communities rely on each other economically, socially and politically. Many people picture the Bedouin as nomads clothed in long flowing robes, riding across the desert on their camels. In reality however, their identity is more varied. Today, many Bedouin live as semi-nomads, both migrating with their herds and engaging in some form of settled agriculture. Apart from tribal affiliations, there is little to distinguish one group from another. Bedouin tribes speak Arabic and claim Arab descent. One of these tribes is the Berabish tribe. They only live in Mauritania and Mali.
Bedouin society is organized according to a series of overlapping kin groups. The family is the smallest unit, followed by the clan, then the tribe. The Berabish tribe has a tradition of marrying a close relative like a cousin. This is a way for families to keep the little wealth they have. Like other Bedouins, the Berabish tribe has less physical wealth than most other populations in Libya. In their spare time, the Berabish tribe loves camel racing and falconry as sports. They sometimes bet their livestock on a particular camel race.
While most of the Bedouin are Sunni Muslims (many of the Malikite branch), there is still a basic belief in spirits known as jinnis. The jinnis are, according to Arab legend, spirits capable of assuming human or animal form and exercising supernatural influence over humans. Their folk Islamic rituals do not give them reassurance or peace, and they often feel fearful. The Koran warns them against dabbling in the spirit world, but they do it because they believe the spirits will help them with their daily needs. A few Bedouin tribes have been influenced by the mystic tradition in Islam known as Sufism. A Sufi is someone who believes that he has acquired a special inner knowledge direct from Allah. It is more emotion-based than other forms of Islam, and many Sufis are seeking a relationship with Allah. This is a possible Segway to the gospel.
The Berabish Bedouins have many physical needs. They often go without enough food, and they rarely have access to produce, which is where we get most of our vitamins and minerals. Commonly, Bedouins suffer from respiratory diseases, and they don't have adequate access to medical facilities since they live in remote areas. Their nomadic lifestyle is rapidly becoming less and less possible given the increasing dryness of their desert homelands.
Pray for the Berabish Bedouins to look to God for their physical and spiritual needs. Pray for the Lord to show himself faithful to the Berabish Bedouins of Mauritania by providing for all of their needs according to his riches and glory. Pray for the Lord to thrust out faithful workers to Berabish Bedouins. Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among the Berabish Bedouins.
Scripture Prayers for the Bedouin, Berabish in Mauritania.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Bedouin, Berabish |
People Name in Country | Bedouin, Berabish |
Natural Name | Berabish Bedouin |
Alternate Names | Berabish Bedouin; Bidan; Kunta Bedouin |
Population this Country | 72,000 |
Population all Countries | 130,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 10799 |
ROP3 Code | 101269 |
ROP25 Code | 301016 |
ROP25 Name | Bedouin, Saharan |
Country | Mauritania | ||
Region | Africa, West and Central | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 20 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Mauritania |
Region | Africa, West and Central |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 20 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.03 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.97 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Hassaniyya (72,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mey Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Hassaniyya (72,000 speakers) |
Language Code | mey Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Hassaniyya |
Primary Language: Hassaniyya
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2002-2005) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes |
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 | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Audio New Testament | General / Other |
Audio Recordings | Oral Bible stories | One Story |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Hassaniyya | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | LUMO film of Gospels | Bible Media Group/LUMO |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Mobile App | Download audio Bible app as APK file | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Photo Source | Ferdinand Reus - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
Map Source | Bethany World Prayer Center |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |