Subgroups: 5
Subgroup Name | Population ▼ | |
---|---|---|
Gobaweyn | -1 Unknown | |
Makanne | -1 Unknown | |
Shabelle | -1 Unknown | |
Shambara | -1 Unknown | |
Shiidle | -1 Unknown |
The Somali Bantus are an African minority ethnic group. They originally were brought to Somalia in the 19th century as slaves by Arabs. They are culturally, physically, and ethnically different from the Somalis who are ethnically cohesive but divided by hostile clans. Somali Bantus speak two languages known as Maay-Maay and Zigua. When civil war broke out in Somalia, many Somali Bantus were driven from their homes and farms by armed Somali militiamen. Fleeing for their lives, they walked through dangerous territory to reach Kenya. Many died along the way. They were placed in refugee camps. Today most live along the riverbanks of southern Somalia or further south into Kenya. A smaller number live in either Canada or the United States.
The different Somali Bantu groups are united primarily because of the racial discrimination they face within Somalia. Most Somalis will not intermarry with Somali Bantus, and some will not even eat with them or enter their house. During the civil war in Somalia, Somali Bantus were one of the most vulnerable groups and suffered horribly at the hands of clan militias and criminal gangs. Many have left Somalia.
The majority of Somali Bantus are Muslim in name only. Some living in Africa continue to practice their traditional animist rituals. Many have retained their ancestral animist traditions, including the practice of spirit possession dances, animism and the use of magic and curses. It was never Almighty God's intent that people live this way! He died to set men free from sin and spiritual oppression.
Pray for the Somali Bantus to depend on God Almighty for their physical and spiritual needs. Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Somali Bantus in Somalia. Pray for a movement to Christ among the Somali Bantus this decade. Pray for the Somali Bantus who have fled to Kenya and the United States to be salt and light to their family members in Somalia.
Scripture Prayers for the Somali Bantu in Somalia.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Somali Bantu |
People Name in Country | Somali Bantu |
Natural Name | Bantu Somali |
Pronunciation |
BAN-too
|
Alternate Names | Jareer |
Population this Country | 878,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,050,000 |
Total Countries | 4 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | Yes |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 18 |
People ID | 20784 |
ROP3 Code | 103458 |
ROP25 Code | 302778 |
ROP25 Name | Gosha / Somali Bantu |
Affinity Bloc | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
People Cluster | Bantu, Swahili |
People Group | Somali Bantu |
Ethnic Code | NAB57 |
Total Subgroups | 5 |
Gobaweyn 0 | |
Makanne 0 | |
Shabelle 0 | |
Shambara 0 | |
Shiidle 0 |
Country | Somalia | ||
Region | Africa, East and Southern | ||
Continent | Africa | ||
10/40 Window | Yes | ||
Persecution Rank | 2 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | ||
Location in Country | Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, Hiraan, Bay, Lower Jubba, Middle Jubba. IDPs in Kismayo and Mogadishu. Source: Field worker |
Country | Somalia |
Region | Africa, East and Southern |
Continent | Africa |
10/40 Window | Yes |
Persecution Rank | 2 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Location in Country | Lower Shabelle, Middle Shabelle, Hiraan, Bay, Lower Jubba, Middle Jubba. IDPs in Kismayo and Mogadishu.. Source: Field worker |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.05 %) |
0.05 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
99.95 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Maay | |||
Language Code | ymm Ethnologue Listing | |||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||
Total Languages | 3 | |||
Secondary Languages |
|
Primary Language | Maay |
Language Code | ymm Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 3 |
Secondary Languages | |
Somali | |
Mushungulu | |
People Groups | Speaking Maay |
Primary Language: Maay
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2006-2007) |
Bible-New Testament | No |
Bible-Complete | No |
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 Maay | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
General | Bible for Children | Bible for Children |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | Emmanuel Adiba - Wikimedia Creative Commons |
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. |