Introduction / History

Their language is Deg which is a member of the Gur-Grussi family of languages and they are closely related linguistically to Sisaala, Tampulma, Chakali, Kasem and in particular to Vagla. History has it that all these groups were together in the Sisaala area; one day there was an argument over a dog's head after a ritual and they split up resulting in the Deg and Vagla travelling further south to live separately in their own lands.

Where Are they Located?

The Deg are a minority language group located in two administrative districts, Kintampo District at the north-western border of Brong Ahafo, and Bole District at the south-western border in the Northern Region.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Religion amongst the Deg used to be mainly Traditional African Religion with some of them following Islam, but church outreach and the work of the Ghana Institute of Linguistics, Literacy and Bible Translation (GILLBT) have made a significant difference so that there are now many more Christians. The Methodist Church is believed to have been the first church outreach to the Deg around 1935, then the Catholic Church in the 1940s followed by the Christ Apostolic Church, the Seventh Day Adventists, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ghana, and then the church of Pentecost and the New Apostolic Church. The language of wider communication in the area is Twi and this is taught in the schools and used for worship in the churches.

Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Deg, Mo in Ghana.