Saho, Irob in Eritrea
Photo Source:
Eduardo Araia
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Map Source:
People Group Location: Other geography / data: GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project
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| People Name: | Saho, Irob |
| Country: | Eritrea |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 149,000 |
| World Population: | 208,000 |
| Primary Language: | Saho |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherents: | 30.00 % |
| Evangelicals: | 0.25 % |
| Scripture: | New Testament |
| Ministry Resources: | Yes |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| People Cluster: | Afar |
| Affinity Bloc: | Horn of Africa Peoples |
| Progress Level: |
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Introduction / History
The Saho homeland stretches south from the Red Sea in Eritrea into Ethiopia. Its western border is flanked by the Tigre and Tigrinya people groups and its eastern border by the Afar. It was my privilege to personally interact with the Saho in the city of Foro near the Red Sea, as well as at Adi Keyh and Sen'afe near the Ethiopian border.
Foro is a 30-minute drive from Massawa on the road to Tio. The road is good, and Saho villages have sprung up along it to have access to schools and clinics. The Saho comprise more than 50 percent of Foro's inhabitants.
What Are Their Lives Like?
The Saho are farmers. Foro is located in the middle of a valley at a former reservoir built by the Italians during their colonial rule. Irrigation provides Saho farmers with beautiful fields of maize that extend toward the mountains as far as the eye can see. Looking north toward the Red Sea, a person cannot help but marvel at the hundreds of acres of maize.
The houses are well-built and the village is clean. The residents' civic pride is evident. This village seems ideal for language learning, even for those living in Foro, a ten-minute walk away.
Next to markets is a row of shops. Many of them are operated by Saho merchants.
What Are Their Beliefs?
About two thirds of the Sahos are Muslim and almost a third are Christian.
What Are Their Needs?
The Sahos need to see that the Lord is all they need. They need a powerful work of the Holy Spirit in their churches.
Prayer Points
The Saho community is fertile soil for sowing the seed of the gospel. Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit among the Saho people.
By contextualizing his message, a Christian worker could live among the Saho and provide them with an adequate witness of the gospel. Pray for the Lord to raise up laborers.