Shuwa Arab in Cameroon


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Shuwa Arab name, "Baggara" comes from the Arabic word bagar meaning cow - an appropriate name because these semi-nomadic, agricultural people of Cameroon depend on cattle for their food and economy. The Baggara of Cameroon live in the "hinge" between West and Central Africa on the northern savanna near Fort-Foureau. This area straddles the borders of Chad and Nigeria and the Baggara frequently cross into these countries to visit or live with kin. Historically, they migrated all through the north central areas of Africa as raiders and cattle and slave traders.

Cameroon's ethnic diversity and many languages and dialects are legacies left by the long line of nomadic peoples who have passed through the country. Because so many of Cameroon's tribes live a semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Cameroon government has met with little success in its quest for national unity.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Baggara generally move their herds two times a year. During the dry season (October to April), the herds are moved south to the river lands. When the rains come, the herds are moved north to the grasslands.

Baggara towns are composed of small compounds grouped according to male family and tribal lines. Baggara men frequently have one wife who may live in the nomadic camp and another who lives in the village or town. Baggara women build the mud brick and thatched roof houses plus any other structures connected with the house. Men build the sun shelters they use for eating and entertaining while tending cattle.

The roles of men and women are strictly separated. Women are responsible for all of the household work and are the primary caretakers of the children. They also milk the cows, which not only provides the family with dairy products, but by selling the products women earn extra income-which they control.

Men manage and market the cattle; they also plant and harvest crops of millet, yams, plantains, and cassava melons. Young boys herd calves and small stock. All children attend school, although girls usually withdraw after about six years.

Baggara dress symbolizes a person's importance. Most men wear a large cotton garment called a boubou. Prominent men wear either white or blue turbans, with the size of the turban indicating the importance of the man. Men usually strap a dagger to their upper arms; they also wear small, rectangular leather cases around their necks or strapped to their belts and arms. These cases contain verses from the holy Koran.

Married women wear veils covering their shoulders and upper bodies, plus head kerchiefs wrapped like turbans. The women wear numerous anklets, bracelets, and necklaces as well as a series of earrings outlining the entire earlobe.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Baggara of Cameroon are passive Sunni Muslims who observe the "five pillars of faith" (declare the faith of Islam, say daily prayers, give alms, fast, and make the pilgrimage to Mecca).

Almost any occasion-the arrival of a visitor, unexpected good fortune, or someone returning from a trip-is an excuse for a communal feast. Betrothal, marriage, and moving the newlyweds to their new residence calls for a major celebration. It also offers the young people an opportunity for courting. The death of a close relative requires a forty day mourning period, which is followed by a feast.


What Are Their Needs?

Christianity is considered the major religion in Cameroon and the second largest religion is Islam. However, the Baggara of Cameroon are Muslims, and there are no known Baggara Christians at this time. The New Testament, the Jesus film, and Christian radio broadcasts are all available in the Badawi language.


Prayer Points

Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the Baggara towards Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Pray for the effectiveness of the Jesus film among Baggara.
Ask the Holy Spirit to anoint the Gospel as it goes forth via radio to the Baggara.
Pray that God will raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession.
Ask the Lord to bring forth a growing Baggara church for the glory of His name!


Scripture Prayers for the Baggara, Shuwa Arab in Cameroon.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

People Name General Baggara, Shuwa Arab
People Name in Country Baggara, Shuwa Arab
Natural Name Shuwa Arab
Pronunciation SHOO-uh AE-rub
Alternate Names Baggara; Chad Arab; Chadian Arab; Shuwa; Shuwa Arab; Shuweihat
Population this Country 205,000
Population all Countries 4,119,000
Total Countries 8
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
Pioneer Workers Needed 4
People ID 14926
ROP3 Code 108972
ROP25 Code 300680
ROP25 Name Baggara
Country Cameroon
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 43  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Far North region: Mayo-Sava, Diamaré, Mayo-Danay, Logone-and-Chari divisions; along Chari river between Lake Chad and Kousséri, pockets south of Kousséri.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Cameroon
Region Africa, West and Central
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 43  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Far North region: Mayo-Sava, Diamaré, Mayo-Danay, Logone-and-Chari divisions; along Chari river between Lake Chad and Kousséri, pockets south of Kousséri..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Religion Subdivision: Sunni
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.02 %)
0.02 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.98 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Chadian (205,000 speakers)
Language Code shu   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Chadian (205,000 speakers)
Language Code shu   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Chadian

Primary Language:  Arabic, Chadian

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1964)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2012)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2019-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) 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 Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Chadian Spoken Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Arabic, Chadian Spoken YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Arabic, Chadian Spoken YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source Rita Willaert - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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