Somali in Tanzania


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Several million Somali live scattered across eight countries in the northeastern portion of Africa, commonly called the "Horn of Africa," and in the Middle East. They are one of the most homogenous people groups in Africa, speaking a common language, adhering to a single faith and sharing a cultural heritage. Somalis first appeared in Africa around 1200 A.D. and began expanding westward and southward about 150 years later. They converted to Islam around 1550 under the influence of Arab traders. Today, many semi-nomadic Somalis live in northern Tanzania. This territory is characterized by its dry climate and sparse vegetation.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Somali society is based on the nuclear family, which consists of a husband, wife and children. The man is the head of his household and has the right to be married to four wives. The women are responsible for raising the children, although the men do take part in their religious training. Somalis emphasize respect for one's elders. A typical family owns a herd of sheep or goats and a few burden camels. The more camels a man has, the greater his prestige. The men's duties include herding and milking the camels, while the women and children tend to the sheep and goats. Both men and women help with the farming. Most of the crops they raise are for family consumption; however, the sale of surplus items in small markets provides important additional income for most families. Somali nomads travel from place to place according to the needs of their herds. They live in portable huts made of wooden branches covered with skins or grass mats. The huts are easily collapsible so that they can be loaded on pack animals and quickly moved. Their diet includes milk, camel and goat meat, rice, and other grains. Tea is also a favorite drink. Most of the Somali children in Tanzania attend school; but less than half of the Somali adults can read.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Somalis are virtually all Sunni Muslims, with Sufism (a mystic branch of Islam) providing an important religious experience for many. Somali Muslims recite the standard Islamic prayers. However, Somali women have never worn the required Islamic veil. Villagers frequently turn to the wadaad (a religious expert) for blessings, charms and advice in worldly matters. These people depend upon good works to pay the penalty for their sins. They depend upon the spirit world for their daily needs because they regard Allah as too distant. They believe that Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well they live in their daily lives. Consequently, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.


What Are Their Needs?

Christian broadcasts and the JESUS Film are available in the Somali language, but little fruit has come from them. There is a need for missionaries who are sensitive to Muslim cultures to live and work among Somali people in Tanzania. We must send forth laborers into this harvest field.


Prayer Points

Pray for laborers!Ask the Holy Spirit to soften Somali hearts so they will become receptive to the gospel. Ask the Lord to raise up strong, reproducing church plants and a Disciple Making Movement among Somali people in Tanzania. Pray for the Holy Spirit to begin to touch the hearts of the Somali people in northern Tanzania as they watch the JESUS Film. Pray that Somali elders will understand that following Christ will mean taking the opportunity to trade in their tragic lives for ones that are lived to "the full."


Scripture Prayers for the Somali in Tanzania.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Somali
People Name in Country Somali
Pronunciation soh-MAH-lee
Alternate Names Issa; Ogaden; Sab; Shabelle; सोमाली
Population this Country 79,000
Population all Countries 26,949,000
Total Countries 25
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group Yes
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 2
PeopleID3 14983
ROP3 Code 109392
Country Tanzania
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Tanzania
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Map of Somali in Tanzania
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 Somali (79,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Somali (79,000 speakers)
Language Code som   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Somali

Primary Language:  Somali

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1915-1935)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1972-1976)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1979-2008)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, Old Testament DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Indigitube.tv Video / Animation Create International
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Somali Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App Download audio Bible app from Google Play Store Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Somali YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Copyrighted © 2024  MarosMatousek - Shutterstock  All rights reserved.  Used with permission
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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