Sakuye Oromo in Kenya

The Sakuye Oromo have only been reported in Kenya
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

According to oral history, up to ten generations came from their center in Dabel and migrated to Elwak and other places in search of pasture for their animals, yet they keep coming back once a year to a type of yearly Passover like that of the Israelites. They are Cushitic. There is a possibility that they came from Somalia through Alwak to their present area in Dabel. This group occupies the Eastern Province of Kenya in the Moyale District close to the boundary of the Northeastern Province. Their main center is still in Dabel. They speak Borana and are related to the Rendille people. Oral history has it that they lived under the kingship of the Rendille before there was a conflict related to pastureland which resulted in them breaking into a separate tribe. Due to the places they have passed through, the Sakuye Oromo speak Borana, which is the common language in the area.

The Oromo are a large cluster of peoples. One of their subgroups is the Sakuye Oromo.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Traditionally the Sakuye Oromo kept camels, cows and goats. However today they have embraced subsistence farming. They were traditionally nomadic. They use Dagora (cloth) which they wrap around themselves from hip downwards and a lot of ornaments on their heads which they call "Shabat." This is especially true when the Sakuye Oromo are ready to get married. This cloth was only white and worn in ceremonies. They also used to comb their hair nicely and divide it into two at the middle of their head.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a rite of passage as well as circumcision for boys at age seven. Boys marry as teenagers, although girls could be married at any age up to 12 years of age. This is done especially through negotiation with parents. Anybody who reaches the age of FGM and circumcision and is not married is scorned and rejected. If a young marriageable girl accused a boy of even greeting her, that person would have a case to answer even if it was only greetings. Only married females are supposed to speak to men.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Sakuye Oromo follow traditional Islam mixed with animism; they even have a shrine in Dabel as well as family shrines. They would rather speak of other things due to their Islamic roots which frown on such things.


What Are Their Needs?

The Sakuye Oromo are in constant conflict with their neighbors. They also need water for both sanitation and animals. They have limited exposure to Christianity. They have had exposure to shepherd ministry for the last ten years.


Prayer Points

Ask the Prince of Peace to reign in their midst and that they would experience a movement to Christ soon.
Pray for rain for livestock and for their farms and showers of spiritual blessings upon the lives of the Sakuye Oromo community.
Pray for Holy Spirit directed workers to be thrust out to the Sakuye Oromo people.


Scripture Prayers for the Oromo, Sakuye in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Oromo, Sakuye
People Name in Country Oromo, Sakuye
Natural Name Sakuye Oromo
Alternate Names
Population this Country 35,000
Population all Countries 35,000
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 19604
ROP3 Code 108538
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, and Laikipia counties. Extensive area from Lake Rudolph east to Ethiopia-Somalia border, and south towards Nairobi.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, and Laikipia counties. Extensive area from Lake Rudolph east to Ethiopia-Somalia border, and south towards Nairobi..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Oromo, Sakuye in Kenya Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.40 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
99.60 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji (35,000 speakers)
Language Code gax   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sakuye
Dialect Code 8322   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji (35,000 speakers)
Language Code gax   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Sakuye
Dialect Code 8322   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji

Primary Language:  Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1870-1966)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1875-1979)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1967-2022)
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
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
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 Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Oromo, Borana-Arsi-Guji Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source Anthony Njoroge 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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