Kanembu in Nigeria
Photo Source:
James Lane
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Map Source:
People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
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| People Name: | Kanembu |
| Country: | Nigeria |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 2,400 |
| World Population: | 1,031,400 |
| Primary Language: | Kanembu |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.00 % |
| Scripture: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Kanuri-Saharan |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Between the sands of the Sahara and the shores of Lake Chad live the Kanembu. For over a thousand years the Kanem-Bornu Empire exerted its influence over central North Africa. Its influence covered eastern Nigeria and Niger, the northern half of Chad and Libya. It traded with Egypt and sponsored Islamic schools as far away as Alexandria. Its camel caravans reached the Muslim holy cities in the Arabian Peninsula. Until the beginning of the 1900s and the French conquest of this area, this empire was the major power in the heart of the north central Africa. Today the Kanembu people are one group of the descendants of this great empire, and their sultans and traditional rules are still more influential than government authorities. They are Chad's merchant tribe, with 75-80% of all merchants in Chad coming from this group, making them one of Chad's wealthiest groups.
What Are Their Lives Like?
Their sultans and traditional rulers are still more influential than government authorities. They live in mud brick houses, with their culture and clothing much the same as in ancient times. Their lifestyle has changed very little through the centuries, except they now have water pumps, vehicles, sewing machines and other modern conveniences. The younger generation is moving to cities in hopes of finding better jobs.
What Are Their Beliefs?
For centuries they have been Muslim, but traditional African beliefs are mixed with Islam. The Kanembu depend on spiritism to meet daily problems.
What Are Their Needs?
There may be a very few followers of Jesus among the Kanembu, but even that is doubtful.
Prayer Points
Pray for Christians in other tribes to take the message of Christ to the Kanembu people.
Pray for those believers the Lord will soon call to himself from this tribe. Pray they will live holy lives and will learn to live in the power of God's Spirit. Pray this ancient tribe will be privileged to hear accurately who Jesus truly is, the Son of God, the only way to the Father.