Bedawi Beja in Sudan


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Beja are a group of nomadic shepherds who live scattered across the desert regions of Sudan, Egypt, and Eritrea. The Beja are an important people group and represent the largest non-Arabic ethnic group between the Nile River and the Red Sea. They are an assertive people with small, strong, wiry frames, long noses, and oval faces.

The Beja are said to be the descendants of Noah's grandson, Cush (son of Ham). They are a native African people who have occupied their current homelands for more than 4,000 years. During that time, they adopted their Islamic religion. The Beja in Sudan are divided into four tribes: the Hadendowa, the Amarar, the Ababda, and the Beni Amer. They inhabit over 110,000 square miles (284,800 square km) in eastern Sudan. Their native language is called Bedawiya, although many are also fluent in Arabic or Tigre.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The semi-tropical climate of Sudan is influenced by the hot, dry air from the Sahara and Arabian Deserts. The southern part of the country only gets about 10-15 inches (250-380 mm) of rainfall a year. The Beja are traditionally nomadic shepherds who migrate annually with their herds. In the north, small groups of nomads raise flocks of sheep, goats, camels, and cattle. Some of the Beja have become more settled and engage in some farming, usually sorghum. The farmers who live along the Red Sea Coast and the Atbarah River raise commercial crops such as cotton and grains, while herding their flocks.

The Beja nomads live in portable tents that are put up and dismantled by the women. The tents are curved in shape and are made of woven palm fronds. The more settled farmers live in mud-walled houses.

The daily diet of the Beja consists of dairy products (especially camel's milk), beef, and some grain. They traditionally wore animal skin clothes; however, today, they wear manufactured clothing. They are dependent on cash to purchase clothes and other desired goods. Their view of the "good life" is to have large herds and to live in green, well-watered pastures.

The Beja are divided into clans. They are named after their ancestors, and the line of descent is traced through the males. Each clan has its own pastures and water sites that may be used by others with permission. Clans vary from one to twelve families. Disputes between clans are often settled by traditional Beja law; but most day-to-day affairs are managed by the heads of the families. The Beja are a hospitable people, always showing kindness to other clans; however, they are not necessarily friendly to foreigners.

The Beja prefer cross-cousin marriages. After a marriage contract has been made, a large gift of livestock, clothing, and other goods is given to the bride's family. The goal of young couples is to have many male children and to acquire a great number of female camels. Only the wealthiest Beja have more than one wife.


Many believe the Beja are descendants of Noah's grandson, Cush. They have occupied their current homeland for more than 4,000 years.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Virtually all of the Beja are Muslims; however, they practice what is known as "folk Islam." Their beliefs are interwoven with a rich variety of traditional beliefs. For example, they believe that men have the power to curse others by giving them the "evil eye." They also believe in wicked jinnis (spirits capable of taking on animal forms) and other invisible spirits. They believe that evil spirits can cause sickness, madness, and accidents. They have adopted many Islamic practices such as repeating prayers, but these prayers are not largely understood.


What Are Their Needs?

There are only a small handful of Beja believers. Evangelistic tools, added laborers, and increased intercession are the keys to reaching them with the Gospel of Christ.


Prayer Points

Ask God to raise up prayer teams that will break up the ground through worship and intercession.
Pray for God to speed the completion of evangelistic materials into the Bedawiya language.
Ask the Holy Spirit to grant favor to missions agencies currently ministering to the Beja.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften the hearts of the people toward Christians so that they will be receptive to the Gospel.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong fellowships of believers among the Beja.


Scripture Prayers for the Beja, Bedawi in Sudan.


Profile Source:   Bethany World Prayer Center  

Beja People Video

Source:  Discover the Beja People      Download

People Name General Beja, Bedawi
People Name in Country Beja, Bedawi
Natural Name Bedawi Beja
Pronunciation beh-DAH-wee BAY-zha
Alternate Names Ababda; Bedawi; Beni-Amer; Beni-Amir; Bishariin; Bisharin; Hedarab; Hedareb
Population this Country 2,492,000
Population all Countries 2,789,000
Total Countries 3
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 50
People ID 10766
ROP3 Code 101211
ROP25 Code 301034
ROP25 Name Beja
Country Sudan
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 8  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Al Bahr al Ahmar state; Kassala, Nahr an Nil, and Al Qadarif states, southeast River Nile.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Sudan
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 8  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Al Bahr al Ahmar state; Kassala, Nahr an Nil, and Al Qadarif states, southeast River Nile..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Beja, Bedawi in Sudan
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
3.00 %
Ethnic Religions
3.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %

Primary Language:  Bedawiyet

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (2008-2010)
Bible-New Testament No
Bible-Complete No
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Film / Video Beja peoples video General / Other
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Bedawiyet Jesus Film Project
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
Photo Source www.j-pics.info - Flickr  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Video Source Discover the Beja People
Profile Source Bethany World Prayer Center 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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