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.
Scripture Prayers for the Datooga in Tanzania.
Profile Source: Anonymous |
Other PDF Profile |
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 | |
People ID | 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) |
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 | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Online New Testament | Faith Comes by Hearing |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Datooga | Jesus Film Project |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Text / Printed Matter | Bible: Datooga | YouVersion Bibles |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | Anonymous |
Profile Source | Anonymous |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |