The Ahwai live in the southeastern corner of Kaduna State, Nigeria around the mountain upon which their ancestors lived in the first half of the 20th century. They are made up of three sub-groups (Anyeng, Andung and Sakara) who all speak the same language, Ahwai, which means 'friends '. The Ahwai are subsistence farmers, raising livestock and crops such as corn, yams, okra, groundnuts and various kinds of greens.
They live in mud-brick houses with tin or thatched grass roofs. Usually, the Ahwai marry within their own sub-group, and intermarriage within the whole Ahwai group is also common, which bodes well for the vitality of their culture and language. There are primary and secondary schools in the Ahwai villages, but no Ahwai textbooks. Education in the early grades is in Hausa, while older students are instructed in English.
With regard to religion, Christianity is predominant. Evangelical Reformed Church of Christ missionaries from South Africa brought Christianity to the area in the 1920s. Since then, the number of churches of different denominations has grown significantly. Although the majority of Ahwai are Christians, these people do not have God's Word in their heart language. When asked why the Bible in Ahwai is needed, the answer given is almost always the same: "So people can understand more deeply, be touched, and grow spiritually."
One pastor expressed his opinion that the translation would also be really useful for native clergy, so their preaching would spring from real, meaningful understanding. Although the Sunday services are usually held in Hausa, the local pastors realize that Hausa isn't enough to build a sufficient understanding of the Scriptures. Many of them are not Ahwai themselves, but they see it is important that the people receive the Scriptures in their language for their own personal spiritual growth and for their life changing impact.
Scripture Prayers for the Nandu-Tari, Ahwai in Nigeria.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Other PDF Profile |
People Name General | Nandu-Tari, Ahwai |
People Name in Country | Nandu-Tari, Ahwai |
Alternate Names | |
Population this Country | 13,000 |
Population all Countries | 13,000 |
Total Countries | 1 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 4 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 5 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 13944 |
ROP3 Code | 107071 |
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 | Kaduna state: Sanga LGA, southwest of Fadan Karshe. 25 villages surrounding Ahwai mountain. 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 | Kaduna state: Sanga LGA, southwest of Fadan Karshe. 25 villages surrounding Ahwai mountain.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 7.00 %) |
55.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
25.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
20.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Ahwai (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | nfd Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Unknown |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Ahwai (13,000 speakers) |
Language Code | nfd Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Ahwai |
Primary Language: Ahwai
Bible Translation Status: Translation Started
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |