Kalenjin, Okiek in Kenya

People Name:	Kalenjin, Okiek
Country:	Kenya
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	55,000
World Population:	55,000
Primary Language:	Okiek
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	35.00 %
Evangelicals:	1.40 %
Scripture:	Portions
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Nilotic
Affinity Bloc:	Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction

Okiek artistry produces a rich range of verbal art, oratory, and song as well as diverse material objects. Schools are poorly equipped, but attendance has increased since the late 1980s. A handful of Okiek have now gone to secondary school, a few continuing to trade school or university. Okiek believe in a beneficent god (Torooret or Asiista) and ancestor spirits who can bring misfortune if they are forgotten or if wrongs are committed. Major Okiek ceremonies celebrate stages of social maturation: a headshaving ceremony where a child receives a new name; an ear-piercing ceremony at age twelve to fourteen (now rarely practised); and initiation into adulthood.

Ministry Obstacles

The Okiek people are not highly literate, and many need to hear the Gospel message in oral form.

Outreach Ideas

The full Bible is available in the Maasai language, and other resources such as the Jesus film are available. Workers are needed to take these resources to the people. The Christians among this people need to be discipled and challenged to reach others with the Gospel of Christ.

Pray for the Followers of Christ

Pray for unity among the Christian believers among the Okiek people. Pray they will regularly fellowship together, and live holy lives.

Pray for the Entire People Group

Pray for peaceful relations with other tribes in the area of the Okiek, and for improving living conditions.