Kwegu in Ethiopia

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 Points

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.

Text Source:   Joshua Project