Kwegu in Ethiopia

The Kwegu have only been reported in Ethiopia
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Kwegu speak a language which is Nilo-Saharan. There is 36% lexical similarity with the Mursi and, depending on the area where they live, they use the Bodi dialect of Me'en or Mursi as second language.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kwegu live in a symbiotic relationship with the Mursi, which by some anthropologists is considered more of tribal dominance, in which the Mursi dominate the Kwegu. The Kwegu serve the Mursi by providing them with honey and games and are available to ferry them across the Omo, for the Kwegu are experts in crossing through the swift currents of the Omo River. In return, the Mursi benefit the Kwegu by assisting them to obtain cattle (which the Kwegu do not have), which is a vital part of bride wealth and without which they cannot get married.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The people are Sunni Muslims who believe that the supreme God, Allah, spoke through his prophet, Mohammed, and taught mankind how to live a righteous life through the Koran and the Hadith. To live a righteous life, you must utter the Shahada (a statement of faith), pray five times a day facing Mecca, fast from sunup to sundown during the month of Ramadan, give alms to the poor, and make a pilgrimage to Mecca if you have the means. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol, eating pork, gambling, stealing, slandering, and making idols. They gather for corporate prayer on Friday afternoons at a mosque, their place of worship.PRGRPHLike other Muslims, they circumcise the boys. They bury their dead and observe 40 days of mourning.PRGRPHIn most of the Muslim world, people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs since they regard Allah as too distant. Allah may determine their eternal salvation, but the spirits determine how well we live in our daily lives. For that reason, they must appease the spirits. They often use charms and amulets to help them with spiritual forces.


What Are Their Needs?

The saying applies here, "Once in a caste forever in a caste." The Khatik caste can receive dignity, and their future can be changed by the one and only true God. By receiving Jesus Christ, the Khatik people can receive hope and a future.


Prayer Items

Pray for the Lord to bless the Kwegus in such a way they will give him praise and devotion.
Pray that soon the Holy Spirit will move in their churches, drawing thousands close to Jesus.
Pray for the Kwegus to become disciplers of less reached peoples in Ethiopia.
Pray for Kwegu disciples to make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Kwegu in Ethiopia.


References

Dr. Samuel Kebreab


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Kwegu
People Name in Country Kwegu
Alternate Names Bacha; Koegu; Kwegi; Menja
Population this Country 3,800
Population all Countries 3,800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale Progress Gauge
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 18363
ROP3 Code 113930
Country Ethiopia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 33  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: southwest, Omo river west bank, Kuchur village, and a small group north.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Ethiopia
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 33  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ region: southwest, Omo river west bank, Kuchur village, and a small group north..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Estimated Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity
44.00 %
Ethnic Religions
56.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Kwegu (3,800 speakers)
Language Code xwg   Ethnologue Listing
Written / Published Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Kwegu (3,800 speakers)
Language Code xwg   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Kwegu

Primary Language:  Kwegu

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Started

Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Photo Source Rod Waddington - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source Anonymous  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.