The name Darfur became well-known in the first years of the 21st century. Darfur means homeland of the Fur people. In 2003 the Sudanese government, which consisted primarily of Arab peoples, began a systematic killing and eradication of the mostly black African Fur peoples in the western area of Sudan called Darfur. Hundreds of thousands of Fur had to flee to neighboring countries like Chad or face death at the hands of the Janjaweed militias. Chad is one for poorest nations in Africa and cannot provide adequately for the refugees. In 2008 UN peacekeepers came to Darfur, but this force did little to stop the violence against the Fur peoples. Today different factions within the Fur peoples are fighting one another, extending the damage inflicted by the Sudanese government. This has continued even though Sudan has been divided into two countries.
The Fur are an agricultural people who also raise cattle. In times of peace, the Fur grow millet, sorghum, maize, and beans for their stable foods. Peanuts, cotton and tobacco are cash crops. Many Fur villages have chickens, cattle and goats to supplement their diets. War and violence in Sudan have made living conditions for the Fur even worse. Many are living in tents and are dependent on aid from the United Nations and NGOs for food, shelter and water. Families arrange marriages with the girls getting married at a young age. A man may have up to four wives if he can afford them. The number of cattle determines the wealth of a village or family. Unfortunately, many Fur children do not attend school due to the lack of teachers and the family's need for child labor. Periods of draught are common in the savannah regions where the Fur live. In times of little or no rain, the Fur face starvation.
The Fur are nominally Sunni Muslims following the Maliki school of Islamic law. The Maliki school emphasizes the teachings of the Koran and the Hadith. Like most Muslims, the Fur people depend on the spirit world for their daily needs. They believe that Allah is too distant to take care of their practical needs.
The Darfur area is in much turmoil, a dangerous place. They need safety for their families and their livestock. Livestock raids are common in Sudan.
Pray for a movement to Jesus to multiply among Fur families and neighborhoods.There are few followers of Christ among the Fur, but pray the Lord will soon build his church among this ancient community. Pray they will keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ask the Lord to help the Fur care properly for their families, and to live lives of peace in a dangerous land. Pray the Lord gives them increasing hunger to learn more about Jesus (whom Muslims call Isa al-Masih), the Prince of Peace.
Scripture Prayers for the Fur, Forok in Sudan.
Profile Source: Joshua Project |
People Name General | Fur |
People Name in Country | Fur, Forok |
Natural Name | Fur |
Pronunciation |
foor
|
Alternate Names | Bergid; Forok; Furawi; Gelege; Konjara |
Population this Country | 1,297,000 |
Population all Countries | 1,334,000 |
Total Countries | 3 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 1 ● |
Unreached | Yes |
Frontier People Group | No |
GSEC | 1 (per PeopleGroups.org) |
Pioneer Workers Needed | 26 |
People ID | 11779 |
ROP3 Code | 103084 |
ROP25 Code | 302456 |
ROP25 Name | Fur |
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 | Gharb Darfur, Janub Darfur, and Shamal Darfur states; some villages in east Sudan. 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 | Gharb Darfur, Janub Darfur, and Shamal Darfur states; some villages in east Sudan.. Source: Ethnologue 2016 |
Primary Religion: | Islam |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.00 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical 0.70 %) |
4.00 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
96.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
0.00 %
|
Primary Language | Fur (1,297,000 speakers) |
Language Code | fvr Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Fur (1,297,000 speakers) |
Language Code | fvr Ethnologue Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
People Groups | Speaking Fur |
Primary Language: Fur
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes (2010-2015) |
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 |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | God's Story video | God's Story |
Film / Video | Indigitube.tv Video / Animation | Create International |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Fur | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Magdalena video | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | My Last Day video, anime | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Rivka video | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Walking with Jesus video | Jesus Film Project |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project. |
Profile Source | Joshua Project |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |