Muhamasheen in Yemen


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Akhdam are a marginalized group in Yemen. In fact, though their name means "servant", they prefer to call themselves "Al-Muhamasheen" -- "the marginalized ones." They live on the bottom rung of a supposedly abolished caste ladder. The 1962 revolution allegedly did away with that societal hierarchy.

It is believed the Akhdam are descendants of Ethiopian soldiers who moved into the area to conquer. Unsuccessful, they were expelled at the start of the Islamic era in the region. Those who stayed behind when the army left became slaves, hence their name. This version of their history has been denied by Hamud al-Awdi, a professor of sociology at Sana University. He concedes that they are probably descendants of people from an African country, but he will add little more.

The people are shorter and darker than typical Yemenis. A study found they were more apt to have sickle-cell anemia, a characteristic attributed also to the Veddoids of South Asia.


Where Are they Located?

Akhdam mostly live in slums in the big cities, primarily in Sana. Sana's Sawan area does have government housing available for the Akhdam. Other cities include Abyan, Aden, Al Hudaydah, Al Mukalla, Lahij and Ta 'izz. The US State Department's human rights report on Yemen for 2011 lists their population there at 440,000-1.1 million.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They live in fierce poverty, discriminated against and helped by only a handful. Many of the men work as street sweepers when work can be found. The women and children collect cans and bottles for income and beg. Almost none of the children attend school.

There are constant reports of mistreatment of the workers by their supervisor. Such treatment almost never brings punishment, even if Akhdam are killed as a result. Recently the group has had a modicum of success in making their voice heard in the political arena. There has been a small increase in their daily wage and they have been able to stage protests against their unfair treatment and low pay. Still, the workers have no vacation at all.

A New York Times article indicates that their life of poverty may be ongoing: "Part of the problem, many members of the community say, is that most of the Akhdam have internalized their low status and do not try to better themselves, find real jobs or seek an education. Much of their meager income goes to buying qat, the plant whose leaves many Yemenis chew for its mildly narcotic effects." (NY Times)


What Are Their Needs?

They desperately need better living conditions, clean water and sanitation. Education and lack of employment opportunities are a problem.


Prayer Points

Pray that the effects of the Arab Spring of 2011 may serve to lift the group out of poverty.
Pray for protection of workers from mistreatment from their supervisors.
Pray that the increasing information in the media about this group will spur action to enable the community to improve their state.
Pray there will be an opening for Christian aid workers to share the gospel with them.


Scripture Prayers for the Muhamasheen, Akhdam in Yemen.


References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Akhdam
http://goo.gl/YAATu
http://goo.gl/0f2N8
http://goo.gl/oNp2g
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/186667.pdf


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Muhamasheen, Akhdam
People Name in Country Muhamasheen, Akhdam
Natural Name Muhamasheen
Pronunciation moo-ha-mah-SHEEN
Alternate Names Arabized Blacks
Population this Country 1,774,000
Population all Countries 2,218,000
Total Countries 4
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 35
PeopleID3 10380
ROP3 Code 117014
Country Yemen
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 5  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Yemen
Region Africa, North and Middle East
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Persecution Rank 5  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Widespread..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Muhamasheen, Akhdam in Yemen
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
0.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
100.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Ta'izzi-Adeni (1,774,000 speakers)
Language Code acq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Ta'izzi-Adeni (1,774,000 speakers)
Language Code acq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Ta'izzi-Adeni

Primary Language:  Arabic, Ta'izzi-Adeni

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2024)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Arabic Bible Online Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Arabic, Taizzi-Adeni Spoken Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Photo Source Mathieu Génon - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: Joshua Project. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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