The name Swahili literally means "coast," and is the name traditionally given to several people groups that share a common culture, language (Swahili), and religion (Islam) living along the eastern coast of Africa. Today, the Swahili are scattered along eastern Africa and the Persian Gulf, from Saudi Arabia to Zambia. Though they are called "Swahili" by others, they prefer to be named according to their local settlements. For about 2,000 years, the backbone of the Swahili economy has been commerce. They worked as cross-national merchants trading spices, slaves, ivory, gold, and grain. Today, international commerce is still important to the Swahili but to a lesser degree. Many upper class Swahili now manage small businesses, do clerical work, and teach school. Since the Swahili are predominantly Muslim, Islamic practices play a large role in their daily activities. The central building in each town is the mosque.
Swahili have generally been staunch Muslims for generations, a tradition that partially defines them.
Perhaps the Swahili will learn of the possibility of scripture downloads from the web and will be curious enough to read these downloads on their computers or phones.
There are likely no followers of Jesus today among the Swahili of Saudi Arabia. Please pray the Lord will soon stir the hearts of many in this tribe to find out more about Jesus (whom Muslims call Isa al-Masih) as the Koran is read in the mosque. Pray Jesus will appear to some in dreams or visions. Please pray the Swahili in all countries of residence will gain an interest in the Savior, Jesus Christ. He died that they may find eternal life.
Scripture Prayers for the Swahili in Saudi Arabia.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
Pray4Saudi |
People Name General | Swahili |
People Name in Country | Swahili |
Population this Country | 408,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,747,000 |
Total Countries | 25 |
Indigenous | No |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 8 |
Alternate Names | African Black; Arab-Swahili; Bantu; Baraawe; Barwaani; Black African; Central Swahili; Coastal; Coastal Swahili; Mrima; Shirazi; Siddi; Swahili Shamba; Urban; Zanzibari |
People ID | 15145 |
ROP3 Code | 109644 |
Country | Saudi Arabia | ||
Region | Africa, North and Middle East | ||
Continent | Asia | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 14 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Country | Saudi Arabia |
Region | Africa, North and Middle East |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 14 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Primary Language | Swahili |
Language Code | swh Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Swahili |
Language Code | swh Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Swahili |
Primary Language: Swahili
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (1868-1968) |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (1879-1989) |
Bible-Complete | Yes (1890-2017) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Bible-NT Text | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name |
---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching (GRN) |
Audio Recordings | Father's Love Letter |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament - Interconfessional (FCBH) |
Audio Recordings | Online Scripture (Talking Bibles) |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | God's Love Story |
Film / Video | God's Story Video |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Swahili |
Film / Video | Magdalena (Jesus Film Project) |
Film / Video | My Last Day (Jesus Film Project Anime) |
Film / Video | Story of Jesus for Children (JF Project) |
Film / Video | The Hope Video |
Film / Video | Walk with Jesus (Africa, JF Project) |
General | Bible Visuals |
General | Four Spiritual Laws |
General | God's Simple Plan |
General | Got Questions Ministry |
Mobile App | Download Audio Bible app as APK File from FCBH |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible Gateway Scripture |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Comic Book Version (SuperBible) |
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 %
|
Christian Segments ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Anglican |
Unknown
|
Independent |
Unknown
|
Orthodox |
Unknown
|
Other Christian |
Unknown
|
Protestant |
Unknown
|
Roman Catholic |
Unknown
|
Photo Source | Copyrighted © 2021 International Mission Board-SBC All rights reserved. Used with permission |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Read more |