Gwa in Nigeria

The Gwa have only been reported in Nigeria
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Gwa people exceled as hunters, but now they are more likely to be farmers.


Where Are they Located?

The Gwa people group are located in Saminaka Gwa, a village in Toro local government of Bauchi State. To get to this community from Jos, move to Magama along Bauchi road, from Magma to Ganjole, from Ganjole to Saminaka Gwa (Old and New).


What Are Their Lives Like?

They formerly settled in a location which was at a distance to the present Gwa village. Because they are hunters, they go to the interior forest to hunt. After killing the animals, they encountered the challenge of moving the carcass to their settlement where they would sell the meat. They established the habit of preparing it and cutting it up for easy carriage. Eventually they established a new village near where they hunt. Since the land is also fertile, they engaged in farming as well. Hausa culture is gradually dominating the Gwa culture.


What Are Their Beliefs?

It should be noted that the Gwa people group had their own native religion in the past. Now they blend that with Islam, resulting in folk Islamic beliefs. Officially they are Muslims, but their daily lives are dominated by the same gods that they worshipped before the arrival of Islam.


What Are Their Needs?

Reach the Rest has mobilized ECWA church to the field and that has given many Gwa people the opportunity to hear the gospel for the first time. The Gwa need workers, as well as hearts that are open to the life-giving gospel.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Gwa culture to be renewed and enhanced by a work of the Holy Spirit and shaped into a God-centered and God-honoring mold.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to move among Gwa family and community leaders to seek His face and enjoy His blessings.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers who will be compelled to nurture a disciple making movement among the Gwa people.
Pray that soon the Gwa people will have faith that will lead them to live honorable lives that will draw others to the Savior.


Scripture Prayers for the Gwa in Nigeria.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12014/NI
Information submitted by African missionaries among the Gwa people.


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Gwa
People Name in Country Gwa
Alternate Names Mbato; M'batto; Mgbatto; Potu
Population this Country 5,300
Population all Countries 5,300
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12014
ROP3 Code 103607
ROP25 Code 302900
ROP25 Name Gwa
Country Nigeria
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 6  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Bauchi state: Toro LGA.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Nigeria
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 6  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Bauchi state: Toro LGA..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.45 %)
4.00 %
Ethnic Religions
75.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
20.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Gwa (5,300 speakers)
Language Code gwb   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Gwa (5,300 speakers)
Language Code gwb   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Gwa

Primary Language:  Gwa

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  GoWestAfrica  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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