Sidama in Ethiopia

The Sidama have only been reported in Ethiopia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Sidama live between Shashamane town in the north and Dilla town in the south, spread out in a cone-shaped area of the middle of southern Ethiopia. Hawassa is a "capital city" for the group. A major asphalt road stretches from north to south in Sidama and the remaining roads are dirt/rock. Sidama is generally a fertile area, varying from flat land (warm to hot) to highland (warm to cold). Economically, most are subsistence farmers. Cattle especially, are a measure of wealth. Sidama is a major coffee growing area with it's prized coffee found on the world market. The false banana or "enset", along with maize, as well as fermented cows' milk and butter, are the major staple foods of the Sidama and are found in most yards. Awasa, the people group's as well as region's main center, is the largest city, with a population of about 300,000 people. Since the end of the Communist regime in 1992, the population has grown tremendously and there is a resulting considerable strain on schools and job availability. There is also a pattern of urban migration, especially to Awasa and even abroad, in search of education and jobs.

The Sidama were evangelized in the early-mid 1900s by Kambata Christians and later, by Norwegian and Danish Lutheran and SIM missionaries. The first Kambata missionaries were martyred by the Sidama, but the Kambata persevered and finally, a small group of Sidama Christians resulted. Now, Sidama is largely Christian including a number of Orthodox. Nearly a tenth are Muslim, non-Christian cults, and traditional religionists. The main churches, in order of size are: Mekane Yesus (Scandinavian Lutheran roots), Kale Hiwot (SIM, Baptist roots), Orthodox, Hiwot Birhan (Swedish/Finnish Pentacostal roots), Mulu Wengel (Full Gospel roots), and Catholic.

Over the past 10-15 years, most Protestent churches have adopted a charismatic/pentecostal, style of worship. Youth choirs are influential in the church and keyboards are the choice of musical instruments of church worship.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Sidama in Ethiopia.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Sidama
People Name in Country Sidama
Alternate Names Sidamo
Population this Country 5,460,000
Population all Countries 5,460,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 6  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 14630
ROP3 Code 108499
Country Ethiopia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 32  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country South central, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: northeast of Lake Abaya; Oromia region: southeast of Lake Awasa.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Ethiopia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 32  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country South central, Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: northeast of Lake Abaya; Oromia region: southeast of Lake Awasa..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 86.12 %)
95.00 %
Ethnic Religions
3.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
2.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Sidamo (5,460,000 speakers)
Language Code sid   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Sidamo (5,460,000 speakers)
Language Code sid   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Sidamo
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Joshua Project / Global Mapping International  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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