Arab in Kenya


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Arabs are one of the largest and fastest growing ethnic groups in the world. Throughout Africa, Arabs are subdivided into thousands of ethnic groups and subgroups. These classifications are based primarily on geographical location, variations in their Islamic beliefs, and the Arabic dialect they speak.
The (Coastal) Kenyan Arabs live along the coasts of Tanzania and Kenya, East Africa, in an area commonly known as the Coastal Belt. Those in Kenya usually originated in Tunisia. They are concentrated in some of the ancient settlements along the coast and in cities such as Mombasa. They can also be found in major urban centers throughout Kenya's Lamu Islands. The Kenyan Arabs speak Arabiya, or Coast Arabic, which is an Arabic dialect belonging to the Afro-Asiatic language family. They also speak the regional language, Swahili.
The Kenyan Arabs refer to their ancestors as the "old" or "true" Arabs. Though their culture is still very similar to that of the first Arabs (desert nomads or Bedouins), their traditions have died down to some extent. They interact with other Muslim communities but have their own culture and even their own cuisine.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Most of the Kenyan Arabs live in rural villages. They are primarily farmers and fishermen, although some who live in the cities may have other professions. The farmers grow cereal grains, vegetables, cotton, and raise livestock. Others have special skills as carpenters, barbers, or religious leaders; a few have become teachers or doctors. Those who are best known in this region are the merchants. Kenyan Arab villages consist of tiny houses that are situated closely together. The nature of the villages reflects the closeness of the families. The homes typically have dirt floors and are built with local products, generally mud brick. Family honor is very important, and each family member has a defined role according to Arab tradition. The family unit provides security during times of economic hardship and in old age. When young people leave their villages to find jobs in the towns or cities, the family socio-economic system is often weakened.
Children are considered a great asset to the villages, since they are the future work force. They also provide social security for their parents and grandparents. The birth of children, especially boys, is cause for great celebration among the Kenyan Arabs. As soon as a baby is born, the name "Allah" is whispered in its ear so that this will be the first word the child hears.
Boys and girls are raised together during early childhood; however, they receive very different treatment. Boys are shown much affection and are pampered by their mothers, while girls, though shown affection, are not pampered. The father is a stern disciplinarian to both his sons and daughters. At a very early age, boys are taken to the fields with their fathers and older brothers to help with the farming. The young boys are also taught to obey and respect older males. Girls stay at home to help their mothers cook and care for the younger children.
Among the Kenyan Arabs, marriages take place as a way to continue a family lineage or as a means of meeting a family's needs. Since marriage is viewed as the union of two families rather than the union of two people, couples work hard to make their marriages successful. As a result, divorce is very rare. The Kenyan Arabs tend to marry other Kenyan Arabs and possibly Somalian Arabs, because they are proud of their heritage and desire to remain a closed group. Although polygyny (having multiple wives) is accepted by Muslim Arabs, it is generally practiced by only the wealthier men whose first wives are barren, or those who desire to establish new family ties.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Kenyan Arabs are virtually all Muslim. Many follow the teachings of the Koran believing it provides hope for a better life after death. Like other Muslims, Kenyan Arabs adhere to the five "pillars" of Islam. These include reciting prayers five times a day while facing Mecca, affirming that Allah is the only god and Mohammed is his prophet, observing the prescribed fasts, giving alms to the poor, and making at least one pilgrimage to Mecca.
The mosque is the center of Islamic worship. Men regularly attend the mosque for prayer services, but women rarely attend. While men worship at the mosques, women usually attend ceremonies conducted at home by female religious leaders.
In addition to their Islamic beliefs, some of the Kenyan Arabs also believe in spirits. They try to appease these spirits during times of crisis or sickness. Magic is also practiced by many Kenyan Arabs.


What Are Their Needs?

Because of their strong adherence to Islam, Kenyan Arabs have been reluctant to accept any idea that might steer them towards Christ as Savior. They need the JESUS Film and radio broadcasts to be widely available. However, prayer is the first step towards seeing Kenyan Arabs reached.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to thrust out workers to the Kenyan Arabs.
Pray for persons of peace to welcome Christ's ambassadors.
Pray for them to understand they can never gain God's favor apart from the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Pray for a movement to Christ among the Arabs of Kenya this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab in Kenya.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Arab
People Name in Country Arab
Pronunciation KEN-yun AE-rub
Alternate Names Anglolan Arabs; Baggara; Bedouin Arab; Bosnian Muslims; Chavus; Coast; Coast Arab; Hemat; Iraqi Arab; Lebanese Arab; Levantine Arab; Nawar; Palestinian Arab; Palestinian Arabs; Saudi Arab; Syrian Arab; Syro-Lebanese Arab; अरब
Population this Country 17,000
Population all Countries 3,025,000
Total Countries 39
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 10375
ROP3 Code 100425
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Lamu and Garissa counties: Somali border toTana river mouth, along coast and inland.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Kenya
Region Africa, East and Southern
Continent Africa
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Lamu and Garissa counties: Somali border toTana river mouth, along coast and inland..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Arab in Kenya
Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
5.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
94.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Swahili (17,000 speakers)
Language Code swh   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Swahili (17,000 speakers)
Language Code swh   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Swahili

Primary Language:  Swahili

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1868-1968)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1879-1989)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1890-2024)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
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 Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Oral Bible stories Story Runners
Film / Video God's Love Story General / Other
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Swahili Jesus Film Project
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video Walking with Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General Walk with the Prophets and meet the Messiah Al Massira
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app: Bibilia Takatifu Swahili Bible Biblica
Mobile App Android Bible app: Biblia TKU Bible League
Mobile App Android Bible app: Swahili YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Download audio Bible app as APK file Faith Comes by Hearing
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Biblia TKU Bible League
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Swahili YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Bible: Comic Book Version Super Bible / Comic Bible Society
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Jesus Messiah comic book General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Swahili Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Hashim Abdullah - Pixabay 
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.


Joshua Project logo    Terms of Use   Privacy Policy   Contact Us   Copyright © 2024