Bura, Pabir in Nigeria

Introduction / History

Bura Sign Language developed as a village sign language among the Bura-Pabir people in an area with a high degree of congenital deafness. During a survey in this area in 2003, linguist Roger Blench observed two men signing and made a video of their conversation. He noted, it was likely independent from other better-known sign languages such as Nigerian Sign Language, since none of the signers have been to school and the area where it is used is rather remote.

The Deaf Bura people around the village of Kukurpu, southeast of Biu in Borno State, Nigeria, use Bura Sign Language.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Deaf Bura people engage in the same occupations as their hearing counterparts. Many work on their parents' farms, growing guinea corn, millet, ground nuts and beans for food and as cash crops to meet additional needs. They also raise cows, goats, fowls and other animals. Some might work in fishing, trading, blacksmithing and woodwork.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Animism is the most common religion practiced by Bura-speaking people. This religious worldview holds that natural physical entities, such as animals, plants, and even inanimate objects, possess a spiritual essence. There are few Christians in this area. The Deaf, however, tend to have no religious understanding, though they may imitate the outward forms. Fear is the major, unifying control element. They believe that the powers of the spirit world are more predictable than earthly powers and that failure to perform specific rituals of appeasement may result in dire consequences.

What Are Their Needs?

Isolation is one of the key issues for the Deaf. Most hearing people do not know how to sign, and the Deaf struggle with the spoken and written languages of hearing people. This may not be as severe a problem among the Bura Deaf considering the high degree of congenital deafness, which has created a small Deaf community. However, they lack opportunities for education.

The Bura-Pabir people have the complete Bible in print and audio, the JESUS Film, and audio recordings. But none of these are accessible to the Deaf. The Bura Deaf need access to Scripture they can understand to learn about the true God and be discipled when they come to faith. A descriptive study of Bura Sign Language would be a good place to start. If it is viable, videos of Bible Stories could be created for the Bura Deaf. This already exists in Nigeria Sign Language, so it may be possible to adapt these into Bura Sign Language.

Prayer Points

Pray for organizations that minister to the Deaf to become aware of the need of the Bura Deaf for Scripture then can understand.
Pray that the few Christians among the Bura-Pabir will actively provide their Deaf brothers with God s Word in their heart language.

Text Source:   Joshua Project