Originally, the Sahrawi were desert nomads who traveled from place to place with their camels. Today, they can be found in the desert in southern Morocco, in the Western Sahara region, in the north of Mauritania, in Algerian refugee camps, and in the Canary Islands. A sub-group of the Moors, the Sahrawi are of mixed Berber, Arab and black African descent. Western Sahara was a Spanish colony, but Spain pulled out in 1976. Then Morocco and Mauritania invaded the former colony. Mauritania pulled out in 1979 but Moroccan troops still occupy the territory. A small number of them fled to Libya to escape fighting during a time when Libya was more peaceful than it is today.
Sahrawi society consists of four main groups: warriors; marabouts, or holy people; tribute payers, who pay taxes to the higher classes; and black slaves. Craftsmen and musicians form separate, low-caste groups. In the past, differences in social class were clearly marked. The eight Sahrawi tribes were constantly at odds with one another, struggling for supremacy. Fighting, robbery, and revenge were the means of surviving drought and plagues. Peace through negotiation always followed. Today, classes serve more as a means of identification rather than a way of life. Some Sahrawi are herdsmen, others are traders, and still others are warriors. However, all speak an Arabic dialect called Hassaniya. In addition, their religion, way of life, and dress are Arabic in flavor and style.
The Saharawi people are Muslims who believe our spiritual needs are found in Islam. Muslims are not often open to hearing about the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
While many pre-Islamic beliefs still exist among the Sahrawi, they like to think of themselves as pure Muslims, though they are not that orthodox. Like most North African groups, they hold to beliefs that certain dead Muslim teachers have a power that can be accessed for healing through pilgrimage to their grave sites. Some scholars have mentioned that the Sahrawi also worship a god known as Sidi Erbbi, who is paternal and full of life.
There's a serious need for peace so these people can go home. Libya is also in a state of war, so they are in a bad position no matter where they live.
Pray for peace in the Western Sahara. Ask God for the formation of Bible believing fellowships in Libya among this people group. Pray that the Sahrawi would come to see Jesus Christ as the Prince of Peace and flee to him for refuge. Pray for Christ's ambassadors to go to these Muslims, bearing the sin-forgiving Savior.
Scripture Prayers for the Sahrawi in Libya.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Sahrawi |
People Name in Country | Sahrawi |
Pronunciation |
sah-RAH-wee
|
Alternate Names | Delim; Delim Bedouin; Saharawi |
Population this Country | 900 |
Population all Countries | 470,000 |
Total Countries | 5 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 1 |
People ID | 14639 |
ROP3 Code | 108512 |
Country | Libya | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 5 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Widespread, especially in the north. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Country | Libya |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 5 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Widespread, especially in the north.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
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Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.00 %) |
0.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
100.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Hassaniyya (900 speakers) |
Language Code | mey Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Hassaniyya (900 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 |
Bible-NT Audio | 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, audio, 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 | EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid - Flickr Creative Commons |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |