Eggan in Nigeria

Eggan
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Map Source:  People Group location: WLMS. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.
People Name: Eggan
Country: Nigeria
10/40 Window: Yes
Population: 22,000
World Population: 22,000
Primary Language: Nupe-Nupe-Tako
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 0.92 %
Evangelicals: 0.72 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Nupe
Affinity Bloc: Sub-Saharan Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Eggan people live in the Benoue Valley in Nigeria though a smaller number live in the nearby hills. Their name means, "a good sense of hearing or perception ability." They have three major clans. Their language is Nupe-Nupe-Tako.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Eggan people make their living as farmers. They grow ginger, citrus fruits, yams, millet and beans.

They have 12 village heads and other leaders who settle disputes.

There is a naming ceremony for newborn babies where neighbors, close friends and family members attend. When a girl is born, the midwife recommends a boy for her to marry, and she is betrothed to him. Once they are of age, the boy and some of his friends must plant, cultivate and harvest for her parents as part of the bride price. That is done the year of the wedding, but before then he must provide gifts for her family. A man often has more than one wife, and the more children the higher his status will become.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Eggan people are officially Muslim, but their pre-Islamic Animistic practices are very important to them. The Eggan have secret societies and special gods they worship. They are intensely fearful of witchcraft; families pay lots of money for protection from witches. Witchdoctors can make a lot of money for finding and destroying witches and their work. They have an herbal remedy to get a witch disengaged from witchcraft. Even church members believe this.

What Are Their Needs?

The Eggan people need the Lord’s power to free them from witchcraft and other evils.

Prayer Points

Pray for a powerful gospel inroad into Eggan families.
Pray for the Lord to show himself powerful over all spirits that oppress them.
Pray for Eggan disciples to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project