Nyangatom in Ethiopia
Photo Source:
Rod Waddington - Flickr
Creative Commons
|
Map Source:
Amanuel Getachew Mamo
|
| People Name: | Nyangatom |
| Country: | Ethiopia |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 46,000 |
| World Population: | 57,000 |
| Primary Language: | Nyangatom |
| Primary Religion: | Ethnic Religions |
| Christian Adherents: | 35.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 28.70 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Nilotic |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
|
Introduction / History
The Nyangatom are pastoralists but some that live along the Omo River are engaged in farming. Their diet consists of meat, milk, and some grain, and wild fruits. There is a single tribal language, Nyangatom, spoken by the whole tribe. However, they also speak the Daasanech language. The Nyangatom language remains a strong cultural bond which makes the Nyangatom very aware of their own distinctiveness from all outsiders. They are warriors and are fierce people.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Young men between the ages of 16 and 20 undergo an initiation ceremony, which involves an animal sacrifice. This is a prerequisite for later taking of human life. The status of a warrior is determined once a man has killed his first enemy, an event he will mark by notching a scar on his right shoulder or chest. After his first killing, he begins carrying a weapon.
His clan sponsor gives him a spear and other weapons, a stool that serves as a headrest, and a pair of sandals. The Nyangatom are polygamous. The begetting of children and the increase in herds, goats, sheep, cattle, camels are highly valued in Nyangatom life.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Nyangatom are followers of ethnic religion. Only a small number have converted to Christ.
What Are Their Needs?
The Nyangatom people have misplaced their trust and faith in spirits. They need the savior who offers life to the full. Their emphasis on violence has held them back.
Prayer Points
Pray the hearts of the Nyangatom people would be stirred to hunger after God, to drink of living water.
Pray for family-based disciple-making movements to soon transform Nyangatom society, blessing them spiritually and economically.
Pray for the Lord to move in the hearts of believers to give up their own rights and sacrifice their lives to see the Nyangatom people blessed by the work of Jesus Christ, the only savior.