Segeju in Tanzania
Photo Source:
Link Up Africa
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Map Source:
Bryan Nicholson / cartoMission
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| People Name: | Segeju |
| Country: | Tanzania |
| 10/40 Window: | No |
| Population: | 23,000 |
| World Population: | 23,600 |
| Primary Language: | Swahili |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 0.03 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.02 % |
| Scripture: | Complete Bible |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Bantu, East-Coastal |
| Affinity Bloc: | Sub-Saharan Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
Ancestors of the Segeju people were forced to relocate in the 1600s by those who controlled emerging caravan routes. Some of the Segeju people became porters for the traders. During the 1900s they were pushed further south into their current homeland.
The Segeju are a people group living on the northeast coast of Tanzania, between the town of Tanga and the Kenya border. At one time they owned farmland communally, but this is changing as many are moving to cities for employment.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The men spend their time fishing, selling fish and building fishing boats. Segeju children learn their school lessons in Swahili, a trade language used throughout East Africa. Their heart language is passing from use and is even threatened with extinction. It has no written form.
They are learning to adapt to new economic realities. Some have left farms to work in Mombasa. The Segeju have excellent skills in making crafts, which they sell in public markets.
What Are Their Beliefs?
The Segeju people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the One, Supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will. African Muslims like the Segeju people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.
What Are Their Needs?
The Segeju need the chance to respond to the only Savior, Jesus Christ, who offers them life to the full.
Prayer Points
Pray that the Segeju people will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Segeju people. Pray for workers who are driven by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a movement to Christ among them.