Daasanach in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Daasanach are a people with a recent history. Their ties to one another have resulted from a common place of residence rather than from heredity. Exiles from many groups around the area of north Lake Turkana have united in support of one another in this hostile, arid environment. They have developed a unique tradition and culture and are open to the inclusion of other immigrants who are willing to abide by Daasanach customs and values.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Until the turn of the century, very little was known of the Daasanach, sometimes called the Merille. At that time, formal borders were created for many African countries, and the Daasanach found their traditional lands divided between Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya. Since then, these semi-nomadic people have moved as freely as possible across the borders of these countries, but this movement is being more and more restricted by border posts and entry formalities.
The Daasanach are known for their fighting prowess and are feared by many neighboring groups, such as the Gabbra and Turkana. Raids to obtain more cattle are celebrated, and Daasanach warriors are proud of the number of enemies they have killed.
The Daasanach are reluctant to adopt outside technology. Irrigation systems to aid in agriculture were introduced to this area by American missionaries in the 1960s, but these systems have been disregarded since foreigners were expelled from Ethiopia after the overthrow of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Today church work is being carried out in Kenya where only ten percent of the Daasanach people live. Here there are very few Daasanach Christians. What is left of earlier church work in Ethiopia is unknown.


What Are Their Needs?

The Daasanach people need someone to teach them how to disciple others so they can obey the teachings of the Bible.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to reveal his glory to the Daasanach people.
Pray for them to have spiritual discernment and a hunger for truth.
Pray for workers, both in Kenya and South Sudan.


Scripture Prayers for the Daasanach in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Daasanach
People Name in Country Daasanach
Pronunciation dah-sah-NAHCH
Alternate Names Daasanech; Galeba; Guleb; Marille; Merille; Reshait; Reshiat
Population this Country 20,000
Population all Countries 113,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 14549
ROP3 Code 108362
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Marsabit and Turkana counties: north portion Lake Turkana, both shores.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Marsabit and Turkana counties: north portion Lake Turkana, both shores..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Daasanach in Kenya Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.00 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
95.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Daasanach (20,000 speakers)
Language Code dsh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Daasanach (20,000 speakers)
Language Code dsh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Daasanach
Photo Source Rod Waddington - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. 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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