Datooga in Tanzania

The Datooga have only been reported in Tanzania
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The most general name for this widely dispersed ethnic group is Datooga. The best known and most numerous sub-tribe of the Datooga peoples are the pastoral Barabaig, who reside chiefly in that part of the northern volcanic highlands dominated by Mount Hanang (3418m), whose scared nature makes it an important theme in Barabaig myth and song.

The Datooga keep goats, sheep, donkeys and a few chickens, but cattle are by far the most important domestic animal. The meat, fat, blood, milk, hide, horns, tendons and cow dung of every animal have either practical or ritual purposes. They were formerly nomadic, depending largely on milk products for their diet, and moving whenever the needs of their cattle dictated. Now, however, many farm a plot of maize and sometimes beans and millet.

The Datooga themselves blend in with their environment, their dress being the color of the reddish brown soil. Only on closer inspection will they appear colorful with their reddish, patched leather dresses, bead work, and brass bracelets and necklaces.

The Datooga are a proud people, with a reputation as fierce warriors. Traditionally, young men had to prove themselves by killing an "enemy of the people", defined as any human being not a Datooga, or one of the dangerous wild animals, such as elephant, lion or buffalo.

They are resistant to cultural change, including belief in Christianity, maintaining a strong adherence to traditional animist beliefs and practices. Since most Datooga do not speak Swahili, the national language of Tanzania, and very few are literate, communication of the gospel must be in their own language, using the traditional media of story-telling and songs. Like animists the world over, the good news of Jesus Christ is very relevant to their needs, once communication can be established.


Prayer Points

Scripture Prayers for the Datooga in Tanzania.


Profile Source:   Anonymous  

People Name General Datooga
People Name in Country Datooga
Alternate Names Gisamjang; Tatoga; Taturu-Gisamjang
Population this Country 16,000
Population all Countries 16,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 4
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18375
ROP3 Code 113952
Country Tanzania
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Manyara, Singida, and Tabora regions; Mara region: Bunda and Serengeti districts; Dodoma region. Barabaig dialect: mainly north volcanic highlands near Mt. Hanang.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Tanzania
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Manyara, Singida, and Tabora regions; Mara region: Bunda and Serengeti districts; Dodoma region. Barabaig dialect: mainly north volcanic highlands near Mt. Hanang..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 4.00 %)
25.00 %
Ethnic Religions
75.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Datooga (16,000 speakers)
Language Code tcc   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Gisamjanga
Dialect Code 9153   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Datooga (16,000 speakers)
Language Code tcc   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Gisamjanga
Dialect Code 9153   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Datooga

Primary Language:  Datooga

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes
Bible-New Testament Yes  (2009)
Bible-Complete Yes  (2020)
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 Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Datooga Jesus Film Project
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Datooga YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Datooga YouVersion Bibles
Photo Source Anonymous 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Anonymous 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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