Buduma in Chad

The Buduma live on scores of islands located within Lake Chad, a large, shallow lake located where Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger meet. The larger group of Buduma live on the northern islands and call themselves “Yedina”, while the smaller group lives on the southern islands and are sometimes called the “Kuri”. In the past, the Buduma carried out violent raids on the cattle herds of their neighbors, but today they live in peace with their neighbors. Most work as cattle herders or fishermen. Fiercely ethnocentric, Buduma place a high value on preserving their distinct culture. They converted to Islam in the early 20th century, which was about 800 years later than their neighbors.

Ministry Obstacles

The literacy rate of the Buduma falls below 1%. Printed or recorded scripture does not exist in their language, but gospel recordings are available. They need these oral materials.

Scripture Focus

"Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."  1 Peter 2:10

Scripture Prayer

Pray for the Lord would to extend His mercy to this people group and that many of them become God’s children.

Prayer Focus

Pray for the youth of the Buduma tribe to become increasingly literate. Pray for opportunities for them to hear the gospel in ways they can understand and accept. Pray that Christian workers who can relate stories from scripture will find their way to the Buduma. Only a handful of evangelicals exist among the Buduma. Pray the Lord will send Christian workers to these evangelicals to help them become firmly established on the truth of scripture.