Introduction / History

Berbers are divided by subgroup, yet the generic term that they prefer is Imazighen, meaning, "Free men." Freedom and independence arehigh priorities of these people. They are much better known as Berbers, a term meaning "barbarians" slapped on them by the Roman Empire. Today the term Berber is so well-engrained that people seldom know who they are without using this derogatory term. Berbers are ethnically mixed with Arabs and spread over Morocco. One of their subgroups is the Warain tribe.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Warain people in Morocco are in a state of transition. Their nomadic past is in jeopardy, but they do not have a clear path before them. What will be their livelihood in the future? They have their own Warain language, but most speak either Arabic or the widely spoken Central Atlas Tamazight language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Warain Berbers are Sunni Muslims who believe that the One, 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. The two main holidays for Sunni Muslims are Eid al Fitr, the breaking of the monthly fast and Eid al Adha, the celebration of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah. Sunni religious practices are staid and simple. They believe that Allah has pre-determined our fates; they minimize free will. In 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?

There are almost no Christ followers among the Warain Berbers, and no fellowships in their homeland. There are a few gospel materials, but they will need either a library or a computer to access them. Our miracle working God will need to make a way.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to direct the Warain tribe in the way they should go in the 21st century. May they find their way towards economic and spiritual prosperity.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out Holy Spirit directed workers to the Warain tribe in Morocco.
Pray for a movement to Christ among Moroccan Berbers.
Pray that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith, blessing them in every way.

Scripture Prayers for the Berber, Warain in Morocco.