Unreached people groups > Ethiopia

Ethiopia
Digil-Rahawiin, Juba Somalis

 

Population and background

The Somalis are not a unitary people group, but a grouping of broad clan federation divided by language and by clan conflicts. The Digil and Rahawiin are two of the clan federations of the Somali peoples. They are found primarily in the Lower Jubba Valley of central Somalia.

Somali used to be British and Italy colony. After the unification of British Somaliland (north) and Italian Somaliland (south and the horn), the Digil-Rahawiin were disadvantaged in the leadership positions of the new Somalia. Somali peoples had never before been in any unified political structure. The British had developed a strong infrastructure and educational system, whereas the Italians had done more exploitation than development. There were some violent conflicts as the Italians tried to tighten their control.

The Digil-Rahawiin, developed a federation of clans, in contrast to the lineage-based structure of the broader Somali peoples. These allied clans have felt oppressed by the political and military domination of the Northern clans. In the period of anarchy, the guerrilla war had broken out. The Digil-Rahawiin always living on the margins of the society in Somalia, also because of the drought and famine, they have joined the others trekking to foreign aid centers. Today in Ethiopia has about 446 thousands of the Digil-Rahawiin are living there.

Daily life and Culture

All Somalis profess strong allegiance to Islam, they also hold stronger primary loyalties to self, family and clan, in that order. In addition, Social life is extremely important to them.

The Digil and Rahawiin clans retain much of the historic nomadic, pastoral culture primarily centered around camels with a few cattle and goats in the more productive areas. In general, men herd and protect the camels and cattle, women take the responsibility of milking the animals, food preparation and family nurture. The culture has been modified by the agricultural setting of the Lower Jubba. Some people who live in cities or towns are involved in trade with Swahili or Arab communities on the Indian Ocean coast.

Religion

The Somali-related peoples accepted Islam as early as the 1200s. Efforts at Christian mission have met with little success. Reports indicate about 0.01% of the Digil-MIrifle clans are Christian. However in Ethopia, there is no Digil and Rahawiin is known as Christian.

Prayer
  • Pray for the physical needs of the Digil-Rahawiin. Pray that aid workers will be safe and able to demonstrate the unconditional love of Christ to these needy families.
  • Ask Lord to reveal himself to the Digil-Rahawiin, make them know that Christ is the only one to protect them from the attacks of the enemy, also the only one to keep them from the evil.
  • Ask Lord to raise up Christian leaders in Ethiopia to led local laborers to work for the urgent gospel needs of the Digil-Rahawiin.
Reference

 


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